After arrest, the accused were taken to Sir JJ Hospital and their X-ray screening was carried out which confirmed the presence of foreign bodies in their stomach.
_d.png "Mumbai: 2 Tanzanians held with over 2-kg cocaine concealed in stomach")
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Two Tanzanian nationals travelling from Dar-e-Salam to Mumbai via Addis Ababa were apprehended by the officers of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence on April 22 based on intelligence that that they were carrying some contraband substances by way of concealment in their body.
The accused are identified as Mtwanzi Carlos Adam and Rashid Paul Sayula.
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An application was made before the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Esplanade, Mumbai on April 22 for the medical examination of Mtwanzi Carlos Adam and Rashid Paul Sayula and both the accused were produced via video conferencing before the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate. Medical examination of the accused under the supervision of Government Hospital was ordered.
As per the directions of the Addl. CMM, Carlos Adam Mtwanzi and Rashid Paul Sayula were taken to Sir JJ Hospital and their X-ray screening was carried out which confirmed the presence of foreign bodies in their stomach. Subsequently, as per the directions of the doctor both Carlos and Rashid were admitted in the hospital. During their 6 days long stay in hospital from April 22 to April 28, Mtwanzi Carlos Adam purged 54 capsules while Rashid Sayula purged 97 capsules. A total of 810 grams of white coloured powder was recovered from 54 Capsules while 1,415 grams of white coloured powder was recovered from 97 capsules. On testing the white powder with field test kit, the same was found to be Cocaine. Thus 2.225 Kgs of white coloured powder suspected to be Cocaine having a value of Rupees 13.35 Crores in illicit market was seized under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985.
In their statements recorded under provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985 Carlos Adam Mtwanzi and Rashid Paul Sayula admitted to have swallowed 54 and 97 capsules respectively before boarding on the flight to Mumbai. Both were arrested on April 29 under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985 and were produced before the Addl. CMM, Mumbai. They have been remanded to judicial custody by the Addl. CMM and have been lodged in jail.
The investigation till now has confirmed that this drug syndicate is also smuggling the narcotics drugs through mules who have drugs concealed in their body and who are travelling to India under medical Visa. This is third such case of smuggling of Narcotics detected by the DRI Mumbai in last 6 months, where Medical Visa facility has been abused by foreign nationals of African countries.
While demand for Cocaine has continued during the pandemic, as it is a drug of choice for the elite, its availability has reduced due to reduced international flights, thereby, making smuggling more lucrative. Hence, this seizure during the current lockdown is significant.
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