The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Bengaluru zonal unit has arrested a Namibian national at the Kempegowda International Airport who was found carrying 69 cocaine capsules in his stomach.

The suspect, Aremu Immanuel, 38, had arrived from Abu Dhabi on Monday morning. The seized contraband is valued at around Rs five crore in the International market, the NCB sources said.

The officials intercepted Immanuel on suspicion and frisked him and found one cocaine capsule in his possession.

Upon interrogation, he confessed to have swallowed 69 such capsules.
He was immediately shifted to Victoria Hospital.

“He broke down and confessed as he was in pain carrying 69 capsules in his stomach. The cocaine in his stomach weighs around one kg. He started the journey from Sao Paulo airport in Brazil to Abu Dhabi and from there took another flight to Bengaluru. His name on the passport also has to be verified,” an official said.

According to the sources, the suspect is a “mule” who would only carry the contraband till the final destination. After reaching the destination, the mule would be given some laxative which loosens the stool for the contaband to come out.

“The suspect is still in hospital. We will question him once he is discharged and try to know about his handler. This is one of the biggest hauls of contraband seizure at the airport in the recent past,” an official said.

According to Dr Satish H S, Medical Superintendent, Victoria Hospital, where Immanuel is presently admitted, he is doing fine and would be discharged tomorrow.
“We found that he had swallowed about 17 of them. He had consumed the drug by packing them in condoms. Later, it was removed from the faecal matter.”
DH News Service