Student of the Year actor arrested at Chennai airport, cocaine worth Rs 35 crore seized, Delhi-Mumbai drug cartel link

The actor, known for his small roles in films like Student of the Year, has been arrested. He was arriving from Singapore. Air Intelligence officers stopped him. Customs officials found plastic pouches filled with white powder hidden in a fake compartment under his trolley.

Chennai: A Bollywood actor has been arrested at the Chennai airport. 3.5 kg of cocaine was recovered from him. The cocaine is worth over Rs 35 crore in the international market. The action against the actor was taken by the Customs and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). Based on specific intelligence, the Air Intelligence Unit of the Customs Department intercepted the actor, who has played small roles in films like Student of the Year, arriving from Singapore early Sunday morning.

The actor's check-in luggage was checked and officials found plastic pouches filled with a white powder-like substance hidden in the false bottom of his trolley. A field drug test confirmed that it was cocaine.

The actor made this claim

The actor was detained and during questioning, it was revealed that he had come to Chennai from Cambodia via Singapore. Sources said the actor claimed that he was handed the trolley by unknown persons in Cambodia to be handed over to a receiver at the Chennai airport.

Cocaine was to be supplied in Mumbai and Delhi

However, officials believe he was planning to take it to Mumbai or Delhi and sell it to cartels operating from those cities. The DRI is tracking the drug network that apprehended him, while the Customs Department is examining his travel history to determine if he has smuggled drugs before.

This is the second seizure of cocaine by the DRI at Chennai airport in the last two weeks. On September 16, a Kenyan national was arrested with 2 kg of cocaine upon arrival from Ethiopia. On September 1, Chennai Customs seized 5.6 kg of cocaine hidden in boxes of Ferrero Rocher chocolates and arrested two passengers arriving from Ethiopia.

PC:NBT