Smoke & Mirrors: DRI Uncovers Novel New York-Mumbai Hashish Smuggling Scheme, One Arrested

News cities mumbai-news Smoke & Mirrors: DRI Uncovers Novel New York-Mumbai Hashish Smuggling Scheme, One Arrested

Last Updated:November 05, 2026, 04:07 IST

Officers seized 7.85 kg of hashish concealed inside a framed bathroom mirror and arrested the intended recipient of the parcel

In a major crackdown on international drug smuggling, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai Zonal Unit, has busted a hashish smuggling operation involving an international courier consignment from New York, United States. Officers seized 7.85 kg of hashish concealed inside a framed bathroom mirror and arrested the intended recipient of the parcel.

The seizure came following specific intelligence inputs about a suspicious courier consignment arriving in Mumbai from the US. Acting on the information, DRI officers intercepted and examined the package at the International Courier Terminal in Mumbai. The consignment had been declared as a framed bathroom wall mirror, apparently to avoid suspicion during routine checks.

However, a detailed examination exposed the unusual concealment method. When officers dismantled the wooden cuboidal frame of the mirror, they discovered eight packets hidden inside. These packets contained 169 smaller sachets filled with a blackish resinous substance.

The substance was subjected to preliminary testing using an NDPS field testing kit and returned positive for hashish. The total gross weight of the seized contraband was 7,850 grams, or 7.85 kg.

Investigators suspect that the consignment was part of an organised attempt to smuggle narcotics into Mumbai using international courier services. The concealment inside a household utility item points to an attempt to pass off the drug shipment as an ordinary parcel and evade scrutiny.

Following the seizure, DRI officials launched an investigation to trace the person behind the consignment. After sustained efforts, officers identified and tracked down the consignee, who was arrested on November 2 under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The seized hashish was confiscated under the relevant provisions of the NDPS Act.

Officials are now probing the larger network behind the operation, including the source of the contraband in the US, the people involved in arranging the shipment and its intended distribution channels in India. Investigators are also examining possible domestic and international links to establish whether the consignment was an isolated attempt or part of a larger trafficking network.

The investigation is ongoing, and further arrests cannot be ruled out as the agency works to identify other individuals involved in the smuggling operation.

About the Author

Mayuresh Ganapatye

Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @...Read More

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