According to DRI officials, the passenger drew suspicion during routine surveillance after landing in Raipur. The team stopped him for questioning and conducted a detailed search, during which the cocaine was recovered from his possession. Following the seizure, the accused was taken into custody and escorted to the DRI office for further investigation.
Officials said the recovered substance has been seized under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Preliminary questioning suggests the drug was intended for local distribution, though authorities have not yet disclosed details regarding the final recipients.
A senior DRI officer confirmed the operation and said the agency is now probing both forward and backward linkages associated with the accused. “We are examining where the cocaine originated, how it was transported, and the network involved in its supply and distribution. The role of handlers and possible interstate or international connections is also under investigation,” the officer said.
Sources indicated that the accused had flown from Delhi to Raipur in an attempt to avoid direct scrutiny at major international airports. Investigators are also reviewing his travel history, call records, and financial transactions to identify whether he is part of a larger trafficking syndicate operating across multiple cities.
The seizure is being seen as a significant success for enforcement agencies, particularly as Raipur is increasingly being monitored as a potential transit and consumption point for synthetic and high-value narcotics. In recent months, agencies have flagged a rise in attempts to move drugs through smaller airports to evade detection.
Security at Raipur Airport has been stepped up, with coordination between central agencies and local police being strengthened. Officials said intelligence-based operations would continue to prevent the city from becoming a hub for drug trafficking.
The accused is expected to be produced before a competent court after completion of initial questioning. Further arrests are likely as the investigation progresses.
Authorities reiterated that strict action would be taken against those involved in drug trafficking and appealed to the public to cooperate by sharing information related to narcotics smuggling.
