Chennai Customs Seizes Cocaine & Gold, Foils Smuggling Attempt
Chennai:
Port Wings News Network:
In a joint operation by the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU), Chennai Customs, and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on 23 August 2025, a Nigerian female passenger was intercepted at the Arrival Hall of Chennai International Airport based on suspicion.
According to a media statement, the passenger, who had arrived in the early hours of 23 August 2025 on Qatar Airways from Port Harcourt (Nigeria) via Doha, reportedly entered India under the pretext of seeking university admission. A thorough examination of her checked-in luggage, conducted under the provisions of the NDPS Act, revealed two black-taped packets hidden in specially designed false cavities. On further examination, officers found a white powdery substance which, on field testing, was confirmed to be Cocaine.
The seizure amounted to two kg of cocaine, valued at nearly ₹20 crore in the illicit market. The narcotics were seized under the NDPS Act, 1985, and the passenger was arrested and produced before the Judicial Magistrate who remanded her to Judicial Custody. The NCB, Chennai Zonal Unit, has taken up further investigation.
This operation underscores heightened vigilance of AIU, Chennai Customs, working in close coordination with other Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, in curbing the menace of drug trafficking through Chennai Airport and its commitment towards Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, promoting drug-free India.
Chennai Customs busts new modus of Gold Smuggling at Chennai Airport
On 24 August 2025 at 07:30 hours, based on credible intelligence, officers of the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU), Chennai Customs, intercepted an Indian couple who had arrived at Chennai Airport from Kuala Lumpur via Indigo Flight 6E 1032 along with their kid.
Upon search, a black cylindrical object wrapped in tape was found concealed in the right shoe of the male passenger. On further inquiry, the female passenger admitted to concealing gold in paste form in her body. Upon extraction and appraisal, a total of 1018 grams of gold valued at ₹1.01 Crore was seized. Both passengers were arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 and produced before the Judicial Magistrate, who remanded them to judicial custody. Investigation revealed that smugglers are resorting to traveling under the guise of family units, including children, as a deliberate tactic to evade Customs scrutiny and detection.
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