The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) revealed a major cocaine trafficking syndicate under ‘Operation White Strike,’ seizing 349 kg of high-grade cocaine valued at nearly Rs 1,745 crore in Mumbai and nearby areas. Union Home Minister Amit Shah commended the NCB for dismantling the narcotics cartel and capturing the substantial drug haul. This operation, a result of over six months of intelligence work, targeted a transnational drug network in the Kalamboli-Bhiwandi corridor.
The NCB’s strategic strikes in the Kalamboli-Bhiwandi corridor exposed a sophisticated transnational drug supply chain utilizing warehouse infrastructure and hidden transport methods. The agency’s first interception near the Kalamboli Warehousing Complex led to the discovery of 136 packets of cocaine concealed in cartons with cricket pads and gloves. Subsequent investigations unveiled an additional 213 packets of cocaine stored in a warehouse in Bhiwandi.
The seized cocaine, concealed inside machine cavities and packed in layers of polythene, highlighted a structured logistics chain involving the import, storage, and distribution of narcotics. Authorities are actively pursuing the masterminds, accomplices, financiers, and recipients linked to this significant drug bust. This seizure is notable as it surpasses the average annual cocaine seizures in India, marking a substantial blow to drug trafficking networks.
