A Zambian woman has been arrested at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle cocaine into India by carrying drug-filled capsules inside her body, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) said.
The DRI’s Mumbai Zonal Unit intercepted the passenger on October 20, 2026, following specific intelligence about a suspected drug-smuggling attempt. The cocaine recovered from her was valued at approximately Rs 1 crore in the international illicit market.
11 capsules recovered during medical examination
According to the DRI, the woman arrived in Mumbai from Freetown, Sierra Leone, via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Acting on intelligence inputs, officers intercepted her at the airport on suspicion that she was transporting narcotics inside her body after swallowing capsules containing the substance.
A medical examination conducted between October 20 and 21 led to the recovery of 11 capsules containing a white powder. Field tests confirmed that the substance was cocaine, the agency said.
The recovered capsules contained 190 grams of cocaine by gross weight. The narcotic substance was seized, and the woman was arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
Investigation underway to trace trafficking network
The DRI is investigating the case to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged smuggling attempt and identify other people who may have been involved. Further details about the suspected trafficking network have not yet been disclosed.
The case highlights how international drug-trafficking networks allegedly use air travel and human carriers to transport narcotics across borders while attempting to evade detection by enforcement agencies.
Authorities have increasingly relied on intelligence-led operations and passenger screening to identify suspected drug couriers at international airports. In cases involving capsules concealed inside the body, medical examinations can play a crucial role in recovering the suspected contraband.
The DRI has been conducting operations against the illegal movement of narcotic substances through international routes. The agency works to identify and disrupt trafficking networks involved in the smuggling of prohibited drugs into the country.
The agency said its efforts are also aligned with the central government's broader campaign against drug abuse and trafficking. The investigation into the Mumbai airport case is continuing, with officials seeking to establish whether the alleged courier was acting independently or as part of a larger organised operation.
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