New Delhi: The Narcotics Control Bureau carried out Operation White Strike, seizing 349 kg of high-grade cocaine worth ₹1,745 crore and exposing a major transnational drug trafficking network in the Mumbai region.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the agency’s action and said the government remained committed to crushing narcotics cartels. He described the operation as a major success achieved through a bottom-to-top investigation approach.
Officials said the operation followed more than six months of sustained intelligence gathering and surveillance. Subsequently, based on specific inputs, teams conducted coordinated raids in the Kalamboli–Bhiwandi corridor. As a result, they uncovered a structured supply chain that used warehouses and concealed transport systems.
In the first phase, officers intercepted a goods vehicle near a warehousing complex in Navi Mumbai. They recovered 136 packets of cocaine, each weighing about 1 kg. Notably, traffickers hid the packets inside cartons using sports equipment. Officers also arrested one accused at the spot.
Operation White Strike exposes multi-stage drug network
During further investigation, officials traced another consignment to a warehouse in Bhiwandi. Therefore, they conducted a follow-up operation without delay. This action led to the seizure of an additional 213 packets of cocaine. Consequently, the total recovery reached 349 kg.
Preliminary findings showed that traffickers concealed the contraband inside imported machinery. They packed each packet in multiple layers of polythene, including one coated with greasy material to avoid detection. Moreover, this method indicated a high level of planning and sophistication.
Officials said the use of Bhiwandi’s warehousing network pointed to a well-organised logistics chain. It involved import, storage and distribution of narcotics. Meanwhile, the scale of the seizure stood out, as annual cocaine recoveries in India usually range between 200 and 300 kg.
The NCB has launched an intensive probe to identify the kingpin, handlers and financial backers. At the same time, teams are working to trace the intended recipients. Ultimately, authorities aim to dismantle the entire network.
We are resolved to ruthlessly crush the narcotics cartel.
The @narcoticsbureau has cracked down on a major international narcotics ring seizing 349 kgs of High-Grade cocaine worth Rs.1745 crore in Mumbai. This is a trailblazing example of bottom to top approach where the agency…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 1, 2026
