In a major anti-drug operation, authorities arrested a Nigerian national, Etumudon Doris, at Panvel Railway Station near Mumbai after seizing narcotics valued at more than Rs 36 crore.
The successful bust resulted from a coordinated effort between the Railway Protection Force (RPF) Panvel, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Bengaluru, and the Crime Intelligence Branch (CIB) Kurla, Mumbai.
The crackdown followed a tip-off by the NCB regarding a suspected drug smuggling attempt on the Hazrat Nizamuddin-Ernakulam Mangala Express train, which was scheduled to arrive at Panvel on Friday, July 19, 2025.
Security teams promptly mobilized and intercepted the train at platform seven. During routine checks, they identified Etumudon Doris traveling with an infant, whom she claimed was her child.
Upon questioning, Doris reportedly admitted to carrying illegal substances. A search of her multicoloured travel bag revealed two rectangular black packages marked “VINTAGE.” Subsequent laboratory tests confirmed the packages contained a total of 2.002 kg of cocaine. Additionally, authorities seized 1.488 kg of methamphetamine from her possession.
Murari Lal, Junior Intelligence Officer at NCB Bengaluru, took formal custody of the seized narcotics. Doris has been charged in connection with the case, and investigations are ongoing to trace the network behind the drug trafficking operation.
Officials hailed the operation as a critical blow to international drug smuggling routes through India’s railway system.
