The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in India recently discovered a clever scheme to smuggle nearly 2 kg of cocaine into the country. The contraband was hidden within thermocol balls used to cushion the contents of courier packages. The cocaine, which had an estimated international market value of Rs 26.5 crore (approx. $3.5 million USD), was found in an import courier consignment that arrived in two boxes from Sao Paulo, Brazil. The consignment was declared to contain a Table Center (decorative object) and one crystal glassware decorative bowl, along with thousands of thermocol balls.
However, DRI officers became suspicious after noticing that some of the thermocol balls were slightly heavier than the others. They separated the heavier balls and found that they concealed smaller balls of white powder, covered by transparent extra thin polythene. A total of 1922 gm of cocaine was seized as a result of this investigation.
This novel modus operandi of smuggling narcotics through the courier route has raised concerns among authorities about the use of new and innovative techniques by traffickers. The DRI has urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or packages to the authorities.
