Tanzanian cocaine smuggler dies while being taken to hospital in Mumbai

One of the two Tanzanian nationals detained at the Mumbai international airport for allegedly trying to smuggle in cocaine in capsules hidden in their bodies, died while being taken to a hospital, possibly due to the bursting of the capsules, a senior customs official said on Tuesday.

The victim died while being taken to hospital, the officer said, adding that the second accused has ejected 50 cocaine-filled capsules.

The customs officer did not reveal the names of either the deceased or his associate, saying that the investigation is continuing into the case.

Magisterial permission was sought to X-ray the duo who landed at Mumbai International Airport on an Ethiopian Airlines flight yesterday. According to customs sources, the Tanzanian duo was detained on the basis of specific information that they would be smuggling cocaine into the country by concealing them in their stomachs.