Smuggler dies as cocaine pills burst in his tummy

An alleged drug smuggler, a Tanzanian, died due to the possible bursting of cocaine capsules concealed in his stomach. This happened when he and a co-accused were being taken to a hospital for X-ray screening.

So far, the other accused has ejected 50 capsules, said an Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) official. The value of the contraband is not yet ascertained as the police are investigating. The official said, based on specific intelligence, an AIU team led by additional commissioner Milind Lanjewar apprehended the duo on November 18 after they alighted from an Ethiopian airlines flight.

The AIU expects drug smuggling to increase in view of the upcoming New Year celebrations, when the demand for drugs peaks in the party circuit.

In September, AIU sleuths had arrested two Ghana natives for smuggling 1kg cocaine into the country.