For Customs, new frontier in war on drugs is the humble post office
The Times of India Mumbai|November 20, 2022
A few days ago, the Foreign Post Office (FPO) at Ballard Estate in south Mumbai received two parcels from the US containing a pillow and a speaker.
Vijay V Singh
For Customs, new frontier in war on drugs is the humble post office

It had nearly cleared Customs before someone raised a red flag: "Who would order a pillow or a speaker of a low quality from the US spending a few hundred rupees on postal charges?" They cut open the pillow and dismantled the speaker and found hydroponics weed concealed inside both packages.

Welcome to the new frontier in the drug war: trafficking homegrown weed through the neighbourhood post office. This November, by the 14th, 15 drug consignments arriving by international post were detected in the city. In all, 200 cases are pending where narcotics coming via postal services have been seized at FPO. They come concealed in all manner of objects from books and chocolate wrappers to gloves and stuffed toys. With New Year approaching, the smuggling is expected to intensify. Customs officials say they are already nabbing almost one consignment of hydroponics weed every day.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE TIMES OF INDIA MUMBAIView all
US soccer scrubs Islamic emblem from Iran flag
The Times of India Mumbai

US soccer scrubs Islamic emblem from Iran flag

The federation said in a statement Sunday that it decided to forego the official flag on social media accounts to show “support for the women in Iran fighting for basic human rights.”

time-read
2 mins  |
November 28, 2022
Pyar Ke Saat Vachan Dharam Patnii begins on TV tonight
The Times of India Mumbai

Pyar Ke Saat Vachan Dharam Patnii begins on TV tonight

What happens when kismet takes over the lives of two couples belonging to two different sections of society?

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2022
Arijit serenades music lovers in Mumbai
The Times of India Mumbai

Arijit serenades music lovers in Mumbai

Arijit Singh casts a spell with his voice

time-read
2 mins  |
November 28, 2022
ARGENTINA LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY
The Times of India Mumbai

ARGENTINA LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY

Messi's Strike Rattles Mexico And Lusail, Brings Team Back From The Brink

time-read
4 mins  |
November 28, 2022
Costa Rica come alive
The Times of India Mumbai

Costa Rica come alive

Los Ticos Stun Japan With Late Fuller Winner

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2022
Morocco's moment under the sun
The Times of India Mumbai

Morocco's moment under the sun

Inspired Atlas Lions Shock Belgium For First WC Win In 24 Years

time-read
3 mins  |
November 28, 2022
ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, SOAR
The Times of India Mumbai

ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, SOAR

Athletics Icon Usha Set To Become First Woman President Of IOA

time-read
2 mins  |
November 28, 2022
Industry body calls for slower rate hikes
The Times of India Mumbai

Industry body calls for slower rate hikes

CII Asks RBI To Moderate Pace Of Raising Repo As Global Woes May Impact Growth

time-read
2 mins  |
November 28, 2022
The Times of India Mumbai

Insurance reforms may see PE funding surge in sector

Irdai Raises Investment Cap, Allows PEs To Be Promoters

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2022
Cut ties with child-killing regime, Khamenei's niece tells world, held
The Times of India Mumbai

Cut ties with child-killing regime, Khamenei's niece tells world, held

Iranian authorities have arrested a niece of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after she recorded a video describing the authorities led by her uncle as a “murderous and child-killing regime”.

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2022