The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in Mumbai, has arrested two men from Kerala at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) for allegedly smuggling 21.78 kg of cocaine worth Rs 22 crore from Sierra Leone into India, officials said.

The cocaine was ingeniously concealed inside dates, they said.

According to DRI sources, the agency had received specific intelligence that a passenger arriving from Sierra Leone via Addis Ababa would be carrying narcotics.

Acting on the tip-off, officers intercepted Amal Azheekkalkadavil Joshy on Wednesday soon after he landed in Mumbai.

A detailed search of his baggage led to the recovery of eight packets of dates. On closer inspection, officers noticed black-coloured balls stuffed inside the dates. Field testing confirmed the presence of cocaine.

“When the packets were opened, a total of 21.78 kg of cocaine was found concealed in them,” said a DRI officer.

During questioning, Joshy revealed that his associate was waiting outside the terminal near Gate B. Based on this input, officials apprehended the second accused, Akhil Gopi, who had come to collect the drug consignment.

Both accused are residents of Kerala. During interrogation, they allegedly confessed to being in touch with a handler who had sent them abroad specifically for smuggling cocaine into India, a DRI source added.

The duo has been taken into custody under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and further investigation is underway to trace the international network behind the consignment.

Source