Written By |
According to Bhaskar English, it took four days surgery to remove the drugs from her stomach
Search
KGMU performs 4-day surgery, drugs worth 100m Ugx seized
Lucknow, India - A Ugandan national, Anita Nabafu Wamukuta, was arrested at Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (CCSIA) for attempting to smuggle 34 drug-filled capsules hidden in her stomach, in what authorities believe is part of a major international drug trafficking operation.
The arrest, which took place on April 5, followed intelligence from the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) and a coordinated operation by customs officials, immigration authorities, and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). Wamukuta had traveled from Dubai to Lucknow aboard FlyDubai flight FZ-443.
Anita Wamukuta was arrested at Lucknow Airport
According to Assistant Commissioner of Customs at CCSIA, Kamal Pandey, abnormal pouches were detected during a routine body scan, prompting further investigation. Wamukuta later confessed to swallowing drug capsules before boarding the flight.
Upon medical examination at Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Civil Hospital, X-ray scans confirmed the presence of foreign objects in her digestive system. She was then transferred to King George Medical University (KGMU), where, under DRI surveillance from April 5 to 8, 34 capsules were surgically extracted.
READ MORE: Ugandan woman carrying cannabis packets in stomach held at Lucknow airport
Laboratory tests confirmed that the capsules contained methaqualone, a banned sedative-hypnotic drug. The 500 grams recovered are estimated to be worth over ₹25 lakhs (25M Indian rupee or 108m Ugandan Shillings) on the international market.
Laboratory tests confirmed that the capsules contained methaqualone, a banned sedative-hypnotic drug
DRI officials say Wamukuta is believed to be a courier in a global drug smuggling ring, transporting contraband from Uganda to India via the Middle East. Authorities suspect a broader network may be operating across the region, using human carriers to move hydroponic drugs and other illegal substances.
“She admitted her role as a drug courier,” a DRI source revealed. “Further interrogations and analysis of her contacts may expose a much larger international trafficking nexus.”
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and other enforcement agencies have since been alerted, as investigations continue to trace the origin of the drugs and identify other players involved. Wamukuta was formally arrested following the surgery and has been remanded to judicial custody as legal proceedings begin.
Travell documents found with her
This incident underscores growing concerns about international drug trafficking routes targeting Indian airports and highlights the need for tightened border security and intelligence coordination to prevent further infiltration.
Source: Bhaskar English
READ MORE DETAILS HERE : African woman caught smuggling 34 drug capsules in stomach:KGMU performs 4-day surgery
