DRI seizes 10 kg of drugs in 3 operations across Bengaluru, Nagpur, Delhi
Synopsis
In three rapid-fire intelligence-led strikes between 14 and 16 October 2026, the DRI dismantled separate drug supply chains at Bengaluru and Delhi airports and on a Nagpur highway, netting over 10 kg of narcotics — 5.166 kg of amphetamine alone at Kempegowda Airport — exposing how major Indian transit hubs are being exploited by trafficking networks using creative concealment inside baggage linings and civilian suits.
Key Takeaways
The DRI made three arrests and seized over 10 kg of narcotics across operations in Bengaluru , Nagpur , and New Delhi between 14–16 October 2026 .
5.166 kg of amphetamine was recovered from a passenger's baggage at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru on 14 October .
1.97 kg of amphetamine was found concealed in a backpack lining near Khapa Phata, Saoner , on the outskirts of Nagpur on 16 October .
3.134 kg of cocaine was seized from a passenger who arrived at Terminal 3, IGI Airport, New Delhi , from Ghana on 16 October .
All seizures were made under the NDPS Act, 1985 ; all three suspects were arrested.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested three drug traffickers and seized narcotics totalling over 10 kg in three separate intelligence-led operations conducted across Bengaluru, Nagpur, and New Delhi between 14 October and 16 October 2026, according to an official statement. The haul included approximately 7.1 kg of amphetamine recovered in two operations and 3.1 kg of cocaine seized in a third.
Key Seizures at a Glance
The largest single recovery occurred at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, where DRI officers intercepted a passenger arriving from Delhi on 14 October. An examination of the passenger's baggage uncovered 5.166 kg of amphetamine, which was seized under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The passenger was subsequently arrested.
Two days later, on 16 October, officers intercepted an Indian national travelling by bus from Delhi to Hyderabad near Khapa Phata, Saoner, on the outskirts of Nagpur. His backpack aroused suspicion due to its unusual weight; a closer examination of its inner lining revealed a concealed packet. Field testing confirmed a positive result for amphetamine, with a total of 1.97 kg recovered and seized under the NDPS Act. The individual was arrested.
Cocaine Recovered at IGI Airport, New Delhi
In the third operation, also on 16 October, DRI officials at Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, New Delhi intercepted an Indian passenger who had arrived from Ghana. A systematic search of his baggage led to the recovery of six transparent packets containing white powder, with a combined weight of 3.134 kg. Field testing confirmed the substance as cocaine, which was seized under the NDPS Act. The passenger was arrested on the spot.
Pattern and Methodology
All three operations were driven by specific prior intelligence, pointing to an increasingly targeted approach by the DRI in monitoring both air and road corridors. The concealment methods varied: standard checked baggage at Bengaluru, a doctored backpack lining near Nagpur, and multiple packets distributed across luggage at the Delhi airport. Notably, two of the three cases involved amphetamine — a synthetic stimulant whose seizures have been rising on key Indian transit routes in recent months.
What the Law Says
All seizures were effected under the NDPS Act, 1985, which provides for stringent punishment including long-term imprisonment for trafficking offences. The DRI, functioning under the Ministry of Finance, is India's apex intelligence and enforcement agency for narcotics and contraband smuggling.
What Happens Next
The three arrested individuals are expected to face formal charges under the NDPS Act. Investigators are likely to examine travel histories, financial transactions, and communication records to map the supply chains behind each seizure. The DRI has indicated that the crackdown is ongoing, with further operations anticipated across major transit hubs.
Point of View
Not random checks — a meaningful operational shift. What deserves scrutiny is the geographic spread: Bengaluru, Nagpur, and New Delhi are not isolated nodes but points on converging smuggling corridors. The back-to-back amphetamine seizures, in particular, hint at a common supply chain that the arrests alone may not disrupt. Whether investigators have mapped the demand side — and whether prosecution under the NDPS Act will move at pace — will determine the lasting impact of these operations.
NationPress
19 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What drugs did the DRI seize in the October 2026 operations?
The DRI seized approximately 7.1 kg of amphetamine across two operations and 3.134 kg of cocaine in a third, totalling over 10 kg of narcotics between 14 and 16 October 2026.
Where did the three DRI drug seizures take place?
The seizures were made at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru , near Khapa Phata, Saoner on the outskirts of Nagpur , and at Terminal 3 of IGI Airport in New Delhi .
How was the cocaine at IGI Airport, New Delhi smuggled in?
An Indian passenger who had arrived from Ghana was found carrying six transparent packets of white powder totalling 3.134 kg , distributed across his baggage. Field testing confirmed the substance as cocaine.
What law were the arrested drug traffickers charged under?
All three individuals were arrested and the narcotics seized under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 , which prescribes stringent penalties including long-term imprisonment for trafficking.
What is the DRI and why is it involved in drug enforcement?
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) , functioning under India's Ministry of Finance , is the country's apex intelligence and enforcement body for detecting and preventing the smuggling of narcotics, contraband, and other restricted goods across borders.
