In a significant haul at the Chennai International Airport, customs officers have apprehended a male passenger hailing from Jaipur, Rajasthan, for unlawfully possessing one kilogram of cocaine on Tuesday. The estimated market value of the seized narcotics in the international market stands at a staggering Rs 10 crore.
Acting on a tip-off received from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), the air intelligence unit of Chennai customs intercepted the passenger, identified as Bharat Vasita, upon his arrival from Doha, Qatar. A thorough search of his baggage led to the discovery of a concealed compartment containing a white powdery substance. Chemical analysis confirmed the substance to be cocaine.
According to customs sources, the passenger was scheduled to travel onward to Delhi and was waiting for his connecting flight in the transit lounge at the time of his interception. He was subsequently arrested and remanded to judicial custody. Preliminary investigations indicate that Vasita had procured the drugs from Africa and intended to transport them to Delhi.
The ongoing investigation aims to ascertain whether the passenger is part of a larger international drug trafficking syndicate. Customs officials are working diligently to unravel the connections and identify any other individuals involved in this illicit activity.
