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Major narcotics ring busted in Mumbai; NCB seizes 349 kg cocaine worth ₹1,745 crore, Amit Shah says
Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the Narcotics Control Bureau busted a major international narcotics ring in Mumbai, seizing 349 kg of high-grade cocaine valued at ₹1,745 crore. The operation involved a two-stage raid, with cocaine concealed in imported machinery and warehoused in Kalamboli and Bhiwandi; one suspect was arrested during interrogation and more arrests are being pursued.
Why It Matters
The seizure highlights the scale of international drug trafficking networks and the use of warehousing and import channels to conceal contraband, prompting ongoing investigations to identify masterminds and financiers.
Timeline
5 Events
Investigation ongoing; hunt for mastermind and financiers
May 1, 2026
NCB stated it is on the hunt for the mastermind and that intensive investigations are underway to apprehend the handlers, financiers, and intended receivers of the consignment.
Cocaine concealed in machinery; packaging details
May 1, 2026
Investigation showed the cocaine had been concealed inside the cavity of machinery imported to India. Each packet was packed in nine layers of different polythene, including one layer of black greasy substance. The use of Bhiwandi’s warehouse ecosystem indicates a structured logistics chain involving import of machinery with concealed cocaine, storage and retrieval in warehouses, and downstream supply.
Second-stage operation: Warehousing in Bhiwandi yields additional cocaine
May 1, 2026
During sustained interrogation, the first accused revealed a second hidden consignment stored in Bhiwandi. A second operation at a warehouse in Laxman Compound, near Rehnal Bus Stand, Rehnal Gaon, Bhiwandi, recovered 213 packets of cocaine.
First-stage operation: Interception near Kalamboli; 136 cocaine packets recovered
May 1, 2026
In the first stage, NCB intercepted a Maruti Suzuki Super Carry vehicle bearing registration MH-03-DV-3803 near the KWC Warehousing Complex, Sector KWC, Kalamboli, Navi Mumbai. Search led to the recovery of 136 packets of cocaine, each weighing about 1 kg, concealed in cartons using cricket pads and gloves. One accused was apprehended on the spot.
Announcement of major narcotics ring bust; 349 kg cocaine seized in Mumbai (₹1,745 cr)
May 1, 2026
On May 1, 2026, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on X that the Narcotics Control Bureau busted a major international narcotics ring, seizing 349 kg of high-grade cocaine worth ₹1,745 crore in Mumbai. He said the seizure demonstrates a bottom-to-top approach and credited the NCB for a ‘monumental’ success in cracking the network as part of Operation White Strike, which followed more than six months of intelligence development and surveillance.