In a major operation last Saturday, customs officials at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport thwarted an elaborate drug smuggling scheme. A man was arrested for attempting to smuggle marijuana worth approximately Rs 5 crore from Bangkok, Thailand, cleverly concealed in breakfast cereal boxes. Based on further intelligence provided by the arrested man, two additional suspects who were scheduled to receive the narcotics were also apprehended.
Details of the Smuggling Operation
The total weight of the narcotics seized was 4.890 kg, according to a statement released by the customs department on Sunday. The statement detailed that the drugs were ingeniously packed in cereal boxes within the passenger’s checked baggage. All involved parties were charged under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
Additional Seizures and Arrests on the Same Day
The day proved to be significant for the Customs Department’s Air Intelligence Unit, as they also seized 2.77 kg of gold and an additional 4.8 kg of marijuana in separate incidents. These operations culminated in the arrest of five individuals. One notable incident involved a couple arriving from Jeddah, who were found to be smuggling 2.77 kg of 24 KT gold wire, valued at ₹1.87 crore, hidden within the linings of their four trolley bags. Another operation led to the discovery of 4.890 kilograms of marijuana, estimated to be worth ₹5 crore, hidden inside cereal boxes. The individuals arrested in this latter case were identified as Yusuf Noor, 37, from Delhi, along with Sameer, 42, and Abdul Sabith B, 29, from Kerala.
Investigation and Interrogation
Yusuf Noor was intercepted upon his arrival on an Air India flight from Bangkok. Upon inspection, his luggage was found to contain several food items that were unusually heavy and, upon further examination, were revealed to contain marijuana. During his interrogation, Noor disclosed that he was scheduled to meet a contact outside the airport for the handover of the drugs. This led customs officials to conduct a stakeout where Sameer and Abdul Sabith B were observed taking photographs of Noor, arousing suspicion and leading to their detention.
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