Narcotics Control Bureau officers dismantle massive international cocaine smuggling ring.
Operation White Strike achieved a historic breakthrough as Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officials intercepted 349 kilograms of high-grade cocaine worth approximately ₹1,745 crore. This precision-led offensive targeted a sophisticated transnational syndicate operating across the Mumbai and Thane logistics corridors. Following six months of intense surveillance, teams executed coordinated raids in Navi Mumbai and Bhiwandi to disrupt the supply chain.
Double Strike Strategy
Teams initially stopped a commercial vehicle near the Kalamboli warehousing complex. During the search, officers discovered 136 packets of contraband hidden inside cartons of cricket gear, specifically tucked into pads and gloves. This initial arrest provided the intelligence needed to locate a larger stash. The trail led investigators to a warehouse in Bhiwandi’s Laxman Compound, where another 213 packets were recovered.
Advanced Concealment Tactics
Smugglers utilized industrial machinery to bypass security, importing the narcotics inside specialized machine cavities. Each kilogram was meticulously wrapped in nine layers of plastic and black grease to evade detection. This method highlights the growing misuse of Maharashtra’s vast warehousing infrastructure for illicit activities. Historically, Maharashtra's coastline and industrial hubs have often been exploited by international cartels, but this seizure represents one of the largest land-based recoveries in recent years.
National Security Directive
Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the agency for its "bottom to top" investigative approach, which successfully traced small leads back to the heart of the network. This crackdown aligns with the federal government's zero-tolerance stance on drug trafficking. While the immediate threat has been neutralized, investigators are now pursuing the financiers and international handlers behind this ₹1,745 crore shipment. The scale of this bust is extraordinary, considering it nearly doubles the average annual cocaine recovery for the entire country in a single operation.
