4.9 kg of cocaine worth ₹ 24.5 crore seized at RGIA

Light yellow oval shaped capsule containing contraband seized by DRI Hyderabad.

Nearly five kilograms of cocaine, estimated to be worth ₹24.5 crore in the illicit market, was seized from an Indian passenger who had arrived at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport from Doha, Qatar, the Directorate of Intelligence (DRI) said.

Acting on specific information, officers of the DRI Hyderabad zonal unit detained the passenger after his arrival on September 29 and searched his cabin baggage.

Inside, officers found seven tubes of different filled Lindt Lindor dark chocolates, each weighing 387 grams. However, the tubes appeared unusually heavy, prompting officials to open them.

Hidden among the chocolates were 207 pale yellow oval-shaped capsules. Upon examination, each capsule was found to contain a white powdery substance suspected to be cocaine. The substance tested positive for cocaine using a narcotics detection kit, according to the DRI.

Officials seized a total of 4.9 kg of cocaine in gross weight, which was estimated to be worth around ₹24.5 million in the illicit market. The contraband was seized and the passenger was arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985.

Further investigation is underway.

Published – 30 Sep 2026 19:03 IST