Aryan Khan among those detained for questioning in cruise ship drug bust: NCB

Narcotics Control Bureau office at Ballard Estate, Mumbai. Pic/Shadab Khan

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), on Saturday, raided a passenger cruise ship anchored in Mumbai and busted a party onboard. The anti-drug agency has detained more than 10 people following the raid, said the reports.

Acting on a tip-off, the agency sent some of its officers on the Goa-bound ship as passengers, who later conducted the raid. According to an NCB officer, actor Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan, Munmun Dhamecha, Nupur Sarika, Ismeet Singh, Mohak Jaswal, Vikrant Chhoker, Gomit Chopra and Arbaaz Merchant have been detained for questioning.

The NCB has recovered several drugs, including MDMA/Ecstasy, Cocaine, MD (Mephedrone) and charas from the ship, sources said. "After ship went 100 nautical miles away from the coast, we carried out raids and some drugs have been seized," said an officer.

The entire operation was carried out by NCB zonal director, Sameer Wankhede. "I cannot say anything as of now, the investigation is on and 8-10 people have been detained," said Wankhede while speaking to the press.

According to sources, NCB raided the ship near Green Gate at around 7 pm. "There are about 1,000 people on the ship and all are being checked and the operation is going on," an NCB officer told mid-day.

The NCB Mumbai has registered an FIR in this matter. This is the first time that the agency has busted a drug party on a ship.

Meanwhile, Cordelia Cruises released an official statement, saying they had chartered its ship for a private event to a Delhi-based event management company. The statement was issued by Jurgen Bailom from Cordelia Cruises.

"By means of this statement, I wish to express that Cordelia Cruises is in no way, directly or indirectly, connected to this incident. Cordelia Cruises had chartered its ship for a private event to a Delhi-based event management company," the statement read.

"Cordelia Cruises is extremely mindful of providing wholesome entertainment to families who choose to travel with us. This incident is contrarian and far from the culture that Cordelia Cruises represents. We, at Cordelia Cruises, condemn all acts such as these and will strictly refrain from letting our ship out for similar events in the future. Nonetheless, Cordelia Cruises is extending our full support and cooperating with the authorities," read the statement.

Also read: Mumbai: NCB seizes ephedrine worth Rs 5 crore hidden in consignment of mattresses

With PTI inputs