In one of the largest drug busts in India, the Narcotics Control Bureau seized 349 kilograms of high-grade cocaine during coordinated raids across the Mumbai region, exposing a sophisticated transnational trafficking network. The contraband, valued at approximately Rs 1,745 crore, was cleverly concealed inside cricket pads and gloves, indicating an advanced level of planning and concealment aimed at evading detection.
The operation, codenamed “White Strike,” was the result of more than six months of intelligence gathering and surveillance. Acting on precise inputs, NCB teams launched simultaneous actions in the Kalamboli–Bhiwandi logistics corridor, covering areas in Navi Mumbai and Thane. This region, known for its warehousing and transport infrastructure, was being used by the syndicate as a hub for storage and movement of narcotics.
The first breakthrough came when officials intercepted a Maruti Suzuki Super Carry near the KWC Warehousing Complex in Kalamboli. A search of the vehicle revealed 136 packets of cocaine, each weighing about one kilogram, hidden inside cartons containing cricket equipment. One suspect was arrested at the scene, providing crucial leads for further investigation.
Based on information obtained during interrogation, NCB teams swiftly moved to a second location in Bhiwandi, a major warehousing centre. A raid conducted at a facility in Rehnal village led to the recovery of an additional 213 kilograms of cocaine, similarly packaged. The discovery confirmed the existence of a larger, organised supply chain involving multiple storage points and coordinated distribution mechanisms.
Officials revealed that the drugs were also concealed within machine cavities imported into the country, highlighting the use of complex smuggling techniques. Each packet was wrapped in multiple layers of polythene, including a coating designed to mask detection during scanning or inspection. The use of such methods, combined with strategic storage in logistics hubs, points to a well-structured international network managing import, concealment, and distribution.
Investigators are now working to identify the key figures behind the operation, including the kingpin, financial backers, and distribution channels. The probe is expected to extend across borders, given the scale and sophistication of the network involved.
Amit Shah praised the operation, describing it as a significant achievement in dismantling narcotics networks. He emphasised the government’s commitment to taking strict action against drug trafficking and highlighted the operation as an example of how intelligence-led investigations can uncover large-scale criminal systems.
The scale of the seizure is particularly notable, as annual cocaine recoveries in India typically range between 200 and 300 kilograms. This single operation surpasses that range, underlining both the magnitude of the network involved and the effectiveness of the enforcement action.
