International Drug Syndicate Busted: Three Arrested in Cocaine Smuggling Operation
In a significant breakthrough against international drug trafficking, the Mumbai Police has arrested three individuals allegedly involved in smuggling cocaine from Ethiopia to India. The accused have been identified as Tarun Kapoor (26), Himanshu Shah (25), and Sahil Attari (25), all members of an organized international drug syndicate.
The Chennai Airport Interception
The case first came to light several months ago when the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) received crucial intelligence about drug smuggling activities. Acting on this tip-off, NCB officials intercepted Shah and Attari at Chennai International Airport as they attempted to bring contraband into the country.
During a thorough search of the suspects, authorities made a substantial seizure of 5 kilograms of high-purity cocaine. The interception marked the beginning of an extensive investigation that would eventually unravel a sophisticated international drug network.
Mastermind Unmasked and Arrested
During interrogation, both Shah and Attari revealed that Tarun Kapoor was the mastermind behind the entire operation. Following this revelation, the Mumbai NCB launched a manhunt for Kapoor and successfully apprehended him on September 2 from the Dongri area of Mumbai.
After his arrest, Kapoor was immediately handed over to the Chennai NCB unit for further investigation. Although subsequent searches conducted by the agency in Mumbai locations didn't yield additional contraband, the trio was formally booked under the stringent Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in Chennai.
Parallel Investigation Reveals Hidden Consignment
In a parallel development, the Mumbai Police received separate intelligence on the same day - September 2. Their investigation led them to discover that Kapoor had hidden a significant quantity of drugs at the Sabina Guest House in the city.
The Dongri Police team conducted raids at the location and recovered an additional 3 kilograms of cocaine valued at approximately Rs 15 crore. This discovery brought the total seizure in the case to 8 kilograms of cocaine with a combined street value of crores of rupees.
Coordinated Efforts and Legal Proceedings
During their investigation, the Dongri Police learned that the accused were already in judicial custody in Chennai. They promptly approached the appropriate court in Chennai and secured the suspects' custody through production warrants.
All three accused were brought to Mumbai on Friday and formally arrested in the cocaine seizure case. They were produced before the court and have been remanded in police custody until November 18, as confirmed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Pravin Mundhe (Zone 1).
Modus Operandi and International Connections
Investigators revealed that the contraband was smuggled in the form of capsules, a method commonly used by international drug traffickers to evade detection. The officer further disclosed that Kapoor and Attari are residents of Himachal Pradesh, while Shah hails from Haryana.
The smuggling operation began when Kapoor traveled to Ethiopia in August and brought the initial consignment to India. Following his successful trip, Shah and Attari also made their way to Ethiopia but were caught while attempting to bring another shipment through Chennai airport.
Authorities have identified a common connection in Ethiopia - a friend originally from Punjab who has settled there. This individual has been allegedly supplying drugs to the syndicate, highlighting the international dimensions of the criminal network.
The case represents a significant achievement for Indian law enforcement agencies in combating international drug trafficking networks that exploit global connections to smuggle narcotics into the country.
