Cocaine worth Rs four crore seized from Paraguay national

New Delhi: Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on Sunday seized cocaine worth approximate Rs 4 crore from Paraguay National at Cochin Airport. The foreigner had strapped drugs around his waist and shin bone in plastic pouches designed like cricket pads under the clothes.

The passenger, identified as Alexis Regalado Fernandez, a Paraguay National came to India (Cochin) by flight from Sao Paulo, Brazil via Dubai on Sunday and was supposed to travel from Cochin to Bengaluru by flight on the same day.

According to CISF, during pre-embarkation security check (frisking) at domestic Security Hold Area (SHA) of Cochin Airport, Sub-Inspector Srinivasa Rao G of CISF noticed some padding (under clothes) on the body of a foreign passenger which appeared to be suspicious. The passenger was taken for the pat-down search. During the search, it was found that some white powder packets were strapped to his waist and shin bone in plastic pouches designed like cricket pads under the clothes.

Public Relations Officer (CISF) Hemendra Singh stated that the powder appeared to be narcotics substance. When it was checked through 'Narcotic Detection Kit', it was confirmed that the substance was cocaine. The total weight of cocaine in such pouches was 3.693 kg.

"Immediately, the matter was informed to Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Cochin and on arrival of NCB Officials Alexis Regalado Fernandez along-with seized narcotics substance (Cocaine weighing about 3.693 kg worth Rs 4 crore approximate) was handed over to them for further legal action," said Singh.