17-07-2025
Crystal Meth worth Rs 7.6 crore seized from Nigerian women in Pune
IN A major seizure of synthetic drugs, the Pune Regional Unit of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized over 3.8 kgs of Crystal Meth worth Rs 7.6 crore from a Nigerian woman.
Crystal Meth is very powerful and highly addictive central nervous system stimulant, valued at Rs 7.6 crore in illicit markets, from a Nigerian woman. The suspect woman was later arrested, was intercepted in Pune district while travelling on a bus between Delhi and Bangalore, in a joint operation with Pune Customs.
Officials from the Pune unit of the DRI said that specific intelligence received by DRI sleuths indicated that a woman foreign national would be travelling by bus from Delhi to Bengaluru, carrying psychotropic substances concealed in her luggage. Acting on the input, officers of DRI Pune regional unit along with officers of Pune Customs mounted surveillance along the Mumbai–Bangalore Highway in Pune district and intercepted the suspect passenger in transit.
Initial search of the passenger and her baggage did not reveal anything. Officers then conducted a thorough search of the bus which led to identification of her second baggage, hidden at the back of the bus.
A thorough search of the second baggage revealed six Salwar suits, each folded with paper cardboards specially designed to create cavities lined with polythene containing white crystalline substance. Total 3.815 kg of white crystalline substance suspected to be crystal meth was recovered.
Field testing confirmed the presence of amphetamine. The recovered drugs was seized, and the accused was arrested under the provisions of Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. Further investigation is in progress, the DRI officials said.
A coordinated investigation has been launched into the supply chain and distribution network and the suspected accomplices of the arrested Nigerian national, an officer said.
Sushant Kulkarni is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express in Pune with 12+ years of experience covering issues related to Crime, Defence, Internal Security and Courts. He has been associated with the Indian Express since July 2010.
Sushant has extensively reported on law and order issues of Pune and surrounding area, Cyber crime, narcotics trade and terrorism. His coverage in the Defence beat includes operational aspects of the three services, the defence research and development and issues related to key defence establishments. He has covered several sensitive cases in the courts at Pune.
Sushant is an avid photographer, plays harmonica and loves cooking. ... Read More
