**Executive Summary**
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) successfully executed "Operation WHITE STRIKE" on May 1, 2026, dismantling a transnational cocaine trafficking syndicate in the Mumbai-Thane region. The operation resulted in the seizure of 349 kg of high-grade cocaine valued at approximately ₹1,745 crore, following six months of sustained intelligence and surveillance. Law enforcement is currently conducting intensive investigations to apprehend the syndicate's kingpin and associated financiers.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Operational Overview**
* **Mission:** "Operation WHITE STRIKE" targeted a large transnational drug supply network using a "bottom-to-top" investigative approach.
* **Scale:** Seized approximately 349 kg of high-grade cocaine, a volume exceeding the typical annual national seizure average of 200–300 kg.
* **Valuation:** The illicit market value of the seized contraband is estimated at ₹1,745 crore.
**Two-Stage Enforcement Action**
* **First Strike:** NCB teams intercepted a Maruti Suzuki Super Carry vehicle near the KWC Warehousing Complex in Kalamboli, Navi Mumbai, recovering 136 packets (1 kg each) concealed in cartons with cricket gear.
* **Second Strike:** Following suspect interrogation, a raid on a warehouse in Laxman Compound, Bhiwandi, yielded an additional 213 packets of cocaine.
* **Apprehensions:** One accused individual was apprehended on-site during the first stage of the operation.
**Modus Operandi and Concealment**
* **Import Mechanism:** Contraband was imported into India hidden inside machine cavities.
* **Packaging:** Packets were wrapped in nine layers of different polythene types, including a layer of black greasy substance to evade detection.
* **Logistics:** The syndicate utilized the Bhiwandi warehousing ecosystem for structured storage, retrieval, and downstream distribution.
**Impact Analysis**
**Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)**
**Impact**
The agency successfully disrupted a major international narcotics ring, demonstrating the effectiveness of long-term intelligence development and a "bottom-to-top" investigative strategy.
**Action Required**
Continue intensive investigations to identify and apprehend the kingpin, handlers, financiers, and intended receivers of the consignment.
**Transnational Narcotics Syndicate**
**Impact**
The organization suffered a massive financial loss of ₹1,745 crore and the exposure of its sophisticated logistics and concealment mechanisms.
**Action Required**
Members including the kingpin and financiers are currently the subjects of an active manhunt and investigation.
**Government of India (Ministry of Home Affairs)**
**Impact**
The operation reinforces the government's "zero tolerance" policy against narcotics trafficking and highlights the resolve to crush narcotics cartels.
**Action Required**
The Union Home Minister and Prime Minister provide ongoing guidance and leadership to maintain pressure on organized drug trafficking networks.
Key Entities Referenced
Operation WHITE STRIKE: A high-impact, intelligence-led operation launched to dismantle a major transnational cocaine trafficking syndicate in India.
Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB): The primary law enforcement and intelligence agency responsible for the surveillance, investigation, and seizure of the narcotics consignment.
Zero tolerance policy against narcotics trafficking: The central government’s strategic policy framework aimed at ruthlessly crushing narcotics cartels and organized drug networks.
Ministry of Home Affairs: The primary governing ministry overseeing the crackdown on organized narcotics trafficking and coordinating the national anti-drug efforts.
Mumbai-Thane region: The central logistics corridor, including Kalamboli and Bhiwandi, where the transnational drug supply network and warehouse infrastructure were exposed.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Operation WHITE STRIKE: NCB Busts Major
Cocaine Syndicate in Mumbai Region seizing 349
kg High-Grade Cocaine worth an Estimated
Value ₹1,745 Crore
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah congratulates Team
NCB for this monumental success
We are resolved to ruthlessly crush the narcotics cartel
This is a trailblazing example of bottom to top approach
where the agency traced back a smaller consignment to net a
massive network
This high-impact operation was the culmination of more than
six months of sustained intelligence development and
surveillance by NCB
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi
and guidance of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah,
successful operation reflects the Government’s zero
tolerance policy against narcotics trafficking
Posted On: 01 MAY 2026 6:19PM by PIB Delhi
In a major breakthrough against organised narcotics trafficking, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB),
under Operation WHITE STRIKE, has uncovered a large transnational cocaine trafficking syndicate and
seized approximately 349 kilograms of high-grade cocaine valued at nearly ₹1,745 crore in the illicit
market from Mumbai and adjoining logistics corridor.
This high-impact operation was the culmination of more than six months of sustained intelligence
development and surveillance by NCB.
Acting on specific and credible inputs, multiple teams launched coordinated strikes in the Kalamboli -
Bhiwandi corridor (Navi Mumbai–Thane region), exposing a highly organised transnational drug supply
network using warehouse infrastructure and concealed transport mechanisms.In a post on X platform, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said “We are
resolved to ruthlessly crush the narcotics cartel. The NCB has cracked down on a major international
narcotics ring seizing 349 kgs of High-Grade cocaine worth Rs.1745 crore in Mumbai. This is a
trailblazing example of bottom to top approach where the agency traced back a smaller consignment to net
a massive network. Congratulations to Team NCB for this monumental success.”
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and guidance of Union Home Minister Shri
Amit Shah, the successful operation reflects the Government’s zero tolerance policy against narcotics
trafficking.
Major Seizures in Two-Stage Operation
During the first strike, NCB officers intercepted a Maruti Suzuki Super Carry (CNG) vehicle bearing
registration number MH-03-DV-3803 near the KWC Warehousing Complex, Sector KWC, Kalamboli,
Navi Mumbai. Search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 136 packets of cocaine, each weighing
approximately 1 kilogram. The packets were found in cartons wherein cocaine was concealed using
cricket pads and gloves. One accused was apprehended on the spot.
On sustained interrogation and rapid follow-up action, the accused revealed the existence of another
concealed consignment stored in Bhiwandi, a major warehousing hub. Acting swiftly, NCB team
conducted second operation at a warehouse located at Laxman Compound, near Rehnal Bus Stand, Rehnal
Gaon, Bhiwandi (District Thane), resulting in the recovery of an additional 213 packets (1 kg each) of
cocaine.
Sophisticated Concealment Method Exposed
Preliminary investigation has revealed that the contraband had been concealed inside a machine cavity
which was imported in to India. Each packet was packed in 9 layers of the different types of polythene
including one layer of black greasy substance.
The use of Bhiwandi’s warehousing ecosystem points to a structured logistics chain involving import of
machinery with concealed cocaine, storage and retrieval of cocaine packets in warehouses and
downstream supply of narcotics.
Mastermind Hunt Underway
Intensive investigation is underway to apprehend the kingpin, handlers, financiers, and intended receivers
of the consignment. The seizure is significant because about 200-300 kg cocaine is usually seized in India
every year on an average.
We are resolved to ruthlessly crush the narcotics cartel.
The @narcoticsbureau has cracked down on a major international narcotics ring
seizing 349 kgs of High-Grade cocaine worth Rs.1745 crore in Mumbai. This is a
trailblazing example of bottom to top approach where the agency…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 1, 2026
***
RK / RR / PS
(Release ID: 2257339) Visitor Counter : 434Read this release in: ही , Urdu , Marathi , Assamese , Gujarati , Telugu