Mumbai Police seize drugs worth Rs 21 crore from hotel, nabs two Indonesians

In a major crackdown on international drug trafficking, the Oshiwara Police on Saturday said that it has arrested two Indonesian nationals from a hotel in Jogeshwari West area of Mumbai and seized over 21.55 kg of hydro cannabis, estimated to be worth Rs 21.55 crore in the international market.

Acting on a tip-off, and under the guidance of DCP Zone 9 officials, including Senior Inspector Pritam Banawali, API Vikas Kadam, PSI Shinde, PSI Sutar, Constable Siraj Mujawar and others carried out a coordinated operation. After following all procedural protocols, including assembling a panch team, they raided the hotel at around 10:15 am on 27 June, police said.

The suspects were identified as Budi Wiyono (44) and  Rakhmat Ardi Hidayat (39), police said

Both are Indonesian nationals and were staying at a hotel located in Jogeshwari, an official said.

During the raid, officials recovered around 10.722 kg of hydro cannabis from a regazine bag and 10.830 kg of hydro cannabis from a suitcase. The total contraband weighed 21.552 kg, and preliminary valuation in the international market is Rs 21.55 crore, an official said.

“Both suspects were informed of their legal rights under Section 50  of the NDPS Act, 1985 (conditions under which search of persons shall be conducted), and the arrests were made following due procedure,” said a police officer.

A detailed panchnama was prepared at the spot, and the seized material was sealed in the presence of panch witnesses.

Further investigation revealed that while both accused are Indonesian nationals, the seized hydro cannabis is suspected to have originated from Thailand. The duo is believed to have smuggled the consignment into Mumbai via Malaysia.

“What is shocking is how this quantity of narcotics made it past the airport checks. This raises serious concerns about a possible breach or collusion within the security apparatus. We are actively probing if officials or others stationed at the airport were involved,” the officer added.

Police are further investigating the travel routes, flight records, and digital footprints of the accused to uncover the larger trafficking network and to identify the intended recipients of the drugs in Mumbai or elsewhere, the official said.

Both accused have been booked under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and are currently in police custody. Further investigation is underway.

Source