BENGALURU — Narcotics Control Bureau officers arrested a Brazilian man at Kempegowda International Airport after discovering nearly five kilograms of cocaine stuffed into his luggage. The haul, weighing 4.776 kilograms, carries an estimated street value of Rs 23.88 crore, according to NCB officials.

Specific intelligence tipped off the agency about a passenger flying in from Doha, Qatar. Agents moved in during the transit checks on Saturday. They zeroed in on the suspect’s suitcase and found the white powder concealed deep within folds of clothing. A thorough search exposed the carefully packed contraband, which had slipped past initial scans.

The Brazilian national faces charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. NCB took him into custody right there at the airport. Officials declined to release his name pending formal questioning.

Investigators now probe the smuggling route that brought the drugs from South America through the Middle East to India. They suspect larger networks at play. “We’re tracing local handlers in Bengaluru and international suppliers,” an NCB officer said. Early leads point to possible contacts who arranged the Doha’s leg of the journey.

This bust marks another hit against cocaine flows into southern India. Airports like Bengaluru have become key entry points for such shipments, officials noted. In recent months, NCB has ramped up surveillance on flights from West Asia after multiple intercepts.

The operation unfolded without incident. No other passengers were involved, according to airport security. Customs teams assisted in the luggage scan, confirming the substance as high-purity cocaine through field tests.

NCB plans deeper interrogations to map the syndicate. They aim to identify couriers, financiers, and distributors linked to this operation. Brazilian authorities may get involved if transnational ties surface, sources close to the probe said.

India’s battle against narcotics smuggling intensifies at major hubs. Last year, agencies seized over 1,200 kilograms of cocaine nationwide, per government data. Bengaluru’s international terminal handles thousands of transit passengers daily, making it a prime target for traffickers.