DRI seizes 4.9 kg cocaine worth ₹24.5 crore at Hyderabad Airport
Synopsis
Cocaine worth ₹24.5 crore was found packed into seven Lindt chocolate tubes in a passenger's baggage at Hyderabad's RGIA — the unusually heavy chocolates gave it away. The 4.9 kg haul, arriving from Doha, is the DRI Hyderabad unit's most valuable cocaine intercept in recent months and points to a sophisticated Gulf-linked smuggling route.
Key Takeaways
The DRI seized 4.9 kg of cocaine worth ₹24.5 crore at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad on 30 September 2026 .
The cocaine was concealed in 207 capsules hidden inside seven Lindt Lindor chocolate tubes carried by a passenger arriving from Doha, Qatar .
The unusual weight of the chocolate tubes during baggage screening prompted the interception.
The passenger was arrested under the NDPS Act, 1985 ; further investigation is ongoing.
In a prior case in May , DRI had seized 8.705 kg of hydroponic ganja worth ₹3.05 crore at the same airport from passengers arriving from Bangkok .
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 4.9 kg of cocaine valued at ₹24.5 crore from a passenger at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), Hyderabad, on Tuesday, 30 September 2026. The contraband was hidden inside chocolate tubes carried by a traveller who had arrived from Doha, Qatar, marking one of the larger cocaine intercepts at the airport in recent months.
How the Smuggling Was Uncovered
Acting on specific intelligence about an Indian passenger arriving from Doha suspected of carrying narcotics, a team from the DRI Hyderabad Zonal Unit (HZU) intercepted the individual and subjected his baggage to a thorough examination. During screening, officers noticed that the luggage appeared unusually heavy relative to its declared contents.
A closer inspection revealed seven Lindt Lindor Assorted Filled Dark Chocolate selection tubes, each labelled as weighing 387 grams. Officials grew suspicious when the tubes felt significantly heavier than that stated weight. Upon opening them, officers discovered 207 light-yellow, oval-shaped capsules concealed among the chocolates. Each capsule contained a white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine when examined using a Narcotic Drug Detection Kit.
Seizure Details and Arrest
The total gross weight of the recovered cocaine was confirmed at 4.9 kg, with an estimated illicit market value of ₹24.5 crore. The DRI seized the consignment and arrested the passenger under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Further investigation is currently underway, according to officials.
A Pattern of Drug Hauls at RGIA
This latest seizure adds to a growing record of narcotics interceptions at RGIA. In May, the DRI's Hyderabad Zonal Unit had seized 8.705 kg of high-grade hydroponic ganja worth nearly ₹3.05 crore from two Indian passengers who arrived from Bangkok. In that case, the contraband had been concealed inside food containers and water bottles. The passengers were intercepted on 19 May following specific intelligence inputs.
The repeated use of international routes — particularly those from the Gulf and Southeast Asia — through Hyderabad to smuggle narcotics suggests an organised supply network that agencies are working to dismantle. The cocaine haul on Tuesday is notably higher in value, pointing to an escalation in the scale of attempted smuggling.
What Happens Next
The arrested passenger remains in custody as the DRI pursues leads to identify any larger trafficking network behind the consignment. Authorities have not yet disclosed the passenger's identity or nationality. The investigation is expected to examine the supply chain from Doha and any domestic distribution links.
Point of View
Not a lone opportunist. RGIA has now seen major narcotics seizures from both the Bangkok and Doha corridors within months, raising questions about whether the airport's intelligence-sharing and screening protocols are keeping pace with increasingly sophisticated concealment techniques. The DRI's success here came from prior intelligence, not routine screening alone — which underscores that the agency's informant network, not just the physical checkpoint, is doing the real work. Sustained pressure on the supply chain beyond the airport will determine whether these arrests are disruptions or mere inconveniences to the network.
NationPress
1 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the DRI seize at Hyderabad Airport on 30 September 2026?
The DRI seized 4.9 kg of cocaine worth an estimated ₹24.5 crore in the illicit market from a passenger at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad. The contraband was hidden inside seven Lindt Lindor chocolate tubes carried in the passenger's baggage.
How was the cocaine concealed and detected?
The cocaine was packed into 207 light-yellow, oval-shaped capsules hidden among chocolates inside branded Lindt Lindor tubes, each labelled as 387 grams. DRI officers grew suspicious during baggage screening because the tubes felt significantly heavier than their stated weight, prompting a detailed examination that confirmed the presence of cocaine via a Narcotic Drug Detection Kit.
Where had the passenger arrived from?
The passenger had arrived at Hyderabad's RGIA from Doha, Qatar. The DRI Hyderabad Zonal Unit had received specific intelligence about the individual prior to the intercept.
Under what law was the passenger arrested?
The passenger was arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The DRI has said further investigation is in progress.
Has RGIA seen similar drug seizures before?
Yes. In May, the DRI seized 8.705 kg of high-grade hydroponic ganja worth nearly ₹3.05 crore from two passengers who had arrived from Bangkok, with the drugs concealed in food containers and water bottles. The latest cocaine seizure is significantly higher in illicit market value.
