Man Arrested at Bengaluru Airport with ₹40 Crore Worth of Cocaine

Quick Summary

• Officials of the Directorate of revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested a man at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on Saturday.
• The arrest followed a specific tip-off, and the man was suspected to be a drug mule arriving from Doha early Friday morning.
• 4 kg of cocaine worth ₹40 crore was recovered, concealed inside superhero comics and magazines in the suspect’s luggage.
• The substances tested positive for cocaine and were seized under the NDPS Act, 1985.
• The man was arrested under provisions of the same act and remanded to judicial custody.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The arrest highlights India’s growing role as both a target market and transit hub for international drug trafficking networks. With an estimated street value of ₹40 crore, this seizure underscores meaningful financial stakes involved in such operations. Bengaluru’s Kempegowda airport, being well-connected globally, serves as a strategic entry point for illicit goods-a trend that mandates continuous vigilance by authorities.

This incident also demonstrates evolving smuggling methods with traffickers attempting concealment within items like magazines reflecting increasing sophistication. Amid concerns surrounding narcotics proliferation, enforcement agencies will need robust intelligence mechanisms to preemptively tackle such activities while upholding India’s broader commitments under its anti-drug policies.

read more: Published – July 19, 2025