The light-yellow oval-shaped capsules containing the contraband which was seized by the DRI in Hyderabad.
Nearly five kilograms of cocaine, estimated to be worth ₹24.5 crore in the illicit market, was seized from an Indian passenger who arrived at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad from Doha, Qatar, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) said.
Acting on specific intelligence, officers of the DRI Hyderabad Zonal Unit intercepted the passenger after his arrival on September 29 and examined his cabin baggage.
Inside, officers found seven tubes of Lindt Lindor assorted filled dark chocolates, each marked as weighing 387 grams. The tubes, however appeared unusually heavy prompting officials to open them.
Hidden among the chocolates were 207 light-yellow oval-shaped capsules. On examination, each capsule was found to contain a white powdery substance suspected to be cocaine. The substance tested positive for cocaine using a Narcotic Drug Detection Kit, according to the DRI.
Officials recovered a total of 4.9 kg of cocaine in gross weight, which was estimated to be worth approximately ₹24.5 crore in the illicit market. The contraband was seized and the passenger was arrested under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
Further investigation is under way.
Published – September 30, 2026 07:03 pm IST
