New Delhi: A woman from Guinea has been arrested by the customs officials at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) for smuggling cocaine worth Rs 15.36 crore into India, an official statement issued on Saturday said.
The woman was caught on the suspicion of smuggling when she arrived from Conakry in Guinea via Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) on December 7.
When questioned, she revealed she had swallowed or ingested 82 capsules containing a narcotic substance.
“Since it was an impending medical emergency, the passenger was admitted to hospital. Subsequently, during medical examination of the passenger, certain material was found to be secreted inside the body of the passenger. Under expert medical supervision, ejection process was carried out,” the customs department said, as reported by news agency PTI.
The entire ejection process lasted over several days, during which customs officers maintained a round-the-clock vigil, it said.
“Total 82 capsules were recovered, which yielded a total of 1,024 grams of a white, oval-shaped, powdery substance. When this material was subjected to diagnostic tests, the presence of cocaine was confirmed,” the statement said.
The recovered cocaine, weighing 1,024 grams, was estimated to be valued at Rs 15.36 crore, it said, adding that the passenger was arrested and the narcotic was seized.
The woman is being questioned about her associates in India and Guinea, the officials added.
(With inputs from PTI)
