Mumbai NCB busts international drug syndicate seizes 2 kg of MDMA

The Narcotics Control Bureau NCB in Mumbai busted an international drug conspiracy seizing 2170 kilograms of MDMA commonly known as ecstasy and arrested an African national The drugs were worth approximately Rs 2 croreThe operation which commenced in October 2023 was carried out following extensive technical and financial examinations by the NCB On October 19 2023 officials acted on intelligence and intercepted a parcel from the Netherlands at the Foreign Post Office in Mumbai Upon closer inspection what looked to be benign objects such as toys and crayons revealed a cleverly concealed stockpile of MDMA tablets The shipment contained 4970 MDMA tablets totalling 2170 kilogramsIn pursuance of intensive technical collaboration with the financial investigation NCBMumbai has successfully cracked an international syndicate which was involved in international drug trafficking Based on technical intelligence information was gathered wherein a parcel containing a huge quantity of highvalue drugs was being sourced from the Netherlands and transported into Mumbai NCB said in its statementIt added An active analysis led to the identification and detection of the said parcel on 19102023 at Foreign Post Office Mumbai When the parcel was unboxed the contents had nonsuspecting items such as toys crayons pens etc However on closer examination it was observed that the packaging cardboard box was abnormal When one side was cut open layers of multicoloured MDMA ecstasy tablets were found concealed between the layers of flap Accordingly when other flaps of the package box were cut open furthermore MDMA tablets were recovered A total of 4970 MDMAEcstasy tablets weighing 2170 kgs were seizedThe inquiry revealed a sophisticated worldwide drug trafficking network forcing officials to look further into the syndicates operations Despite efforts to avoid detection a thorough investigation revealed a money trail that led to the identity of an African national living in Navi Mumbai The suspect known as BO Afo was captured at his home where additional incriminating evidence was discovered Furthermore other bank accounts both domestic and international associated with the suspect have been identified for inquiryBO Afo the accused arrested Sourced PhotoFurther investigation found that Afo has been in India since 2018 despite the expiration of his visa This discovery highlights the syndicates worldwide nature and operations in India The recovered medicines intended for distribution in many cities including Mumbai Pune Bengaluru Goa and Hyderabad illustrate the widespread reach of the syndicateSince the quantity of the drugs was huge and had international linkage an extensive investigation was initiated The syndicate had carefully maintained the technical evasive manoeuvre to avoid any identification However in the course of an indepth investigation credible technical analysis led to the identification of a financial trail The information was further developed which led to the identification of an African national based in the Navi Mumbai area it further readProlonged surveillance and discreet analysis inferred the convincing data after which the African national named BOAfo was intercepted at his house Incriminating evidence along with multiple bank details of international and domestic banks have been collected which are presently subject to further investigation It has been noted that BO Afo came to India in 2018 and has been staying since then even after the expiry of the Visa His other documents are also being verified The seized drug would have been distributed to multiple cities like Mumbai Pune Bengaluru Goa Hyderabad etc A further indepth investigation is underway to identify the other key associates of the larger syndicate the statement further readAmit Ghawate Additional Director of NCB Mumbai emphasised the thorough scope of the ongoing investigation which aims to identify all major syndicate associates