Why in news?
Operation WHITE STRIKE is in the news because the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) recently executed one of India's largest-ever land-based drug seizures. On May 1, 2026, officials announced the recovery of 349 kilograms of high-grade cocaine, valued at approximately ₹1,745 crore, from the Mumbai-Thane region.
Two-Stage Execution
- Strike One (Kalamboli): Officials intercepted a commercial vehicle near the KWC Warehousing Complex. They found 136 packets (approx. 1 kg each) of cocaine hidden inside cartons of cricket equipment, specifically tucked into pads and gloves.
- Strike Two (Bhiwandi): Following the interrogation of the arrested driver, a second raid was conducted at a warehouse in Laxman Compound. This led to the recovery of another 213 packets of cocaine.
Advanced Concealment Tactics
- Industrial Machinery: The narcotics were imported into India by being secreted inside custom-built cavities within heavy industrial machinery to bypass standard scans.
- Multi-Layer Packaging: Each cocaine packet was wrapped in nine layers of different types of polythene, including a layer of black greasy substance designed to evade detection by sniffer dogs and sensors.
National Significance
- Market Value: The seized high-grade "black gold" cocaine is estimated to be worth ₹1,745 crore on the international illicit market.
- Logistics Network: The operation exposed how international cartels are exploiting Maharashtra’s warehousing ecosystem for large-scale "import, store, and distribute" operations.
- Ongoing Investigation: While the immediate shipment has been neutralized, the NCB is currently pursuing the kingpins, financiers, and international handlers across South America and Europe
Download Pdf
