As per NCB, International drug dealers make carriers take selfies and forward it to customers to ensure safety
Anti-Drug agencies have come across a unique modus-operandi that is being widely used by international drug syndicates to smuggle drugs in India. Recent few carriers arrested by Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has told the agency that WhatsApp selfie now plays an important role in successful drug circulation in India.
In August this year, NCB officials had seized 457 gram white colored powder purported to be cocaine from the international airport in Mumbai from the possession of a Brazilian national who had travelled from Sao Paulo to Mumbai via Adis Ababa and was to fly further to Delhi.
Earlier this year in January, the NCB sleuths had arrested 65-year-old Bolivian professor Colqua Desiderio Gutienrrez with 2.4 kilograms of cocaine.
An NCB official, on the condition of anonymity said, in the recent times when the agency arrested few carriers or mules (those who are entrusted with the job of ferrying in drugs from one country to another), they revealed about the WhatsApp selfie.
Explaining the modus-operandi, the official said, "Earlier the carriers were given contact of the receivers and they used to meet and strike the deal, but with changing times, the smugglers have come out with more safer ways to ensure the drug reaches it's recipient. The foreign based supplier now hand over the drugs to the mule. The mule, who would only have his foreign based handler's mobile number is given details of the hotel where he would stay in Mumbai or India. The mule is told that once he successfully reaches the hotel, he need to click a selfie outside the hotel and WhatsApp the said photograph on handler's number."
The handler would then share the said photograph, details of the mule and his hotel details, with his Mumbai or India based contact. "The Mumbai based contact would then share the said photograph and details with his man, who would keep watch outside the said hotel for two-three days and once he is sure that the mule is not being tailed by the police, they would meet the mule, show him his selfie photograph and complete the deal. Even if there is a slightest of doubt, the Mumbai based contact would not show up," the official said.
The agency sources said that mules are usually paid anywhere between Rs 40,00 USD to Rs 10000 USD for a successful deal. "Out of all the drugs, mule charges more money for smuggling cocaine," said the official.
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