Incoherent claim of shoulder injury gave smugglers away

MUMBAI: The modus operandi used by Tanzanian nationals, Hasani Kasimu and Daziamani Msuku, to smuggle in cocaine almost helped them hoodwink the authorities but a few "unconvincing facts" gave them away: Kasimu's visa to expire in a day, their return tickets booked for seven days later and Kasimu trying to pass off a a private hospital's website page as his doctor's appointment for his injured shoulder raised suspicion among Customs officials who decided to grill the two before letting them go.
Following their arrest at the international airport on suspicion of smuggling drugs on Monday, Kasimu died after one of the 120 cocaine capsules he had swallowed burst in his stomach. Msuku is still in hospital and so far, 65 capsules have been removed. The total quantity of drugs is estimated at about 1kg, priced at Rs 5 crore. "Once all capsules are ejected, they will be separated and weighed," said APS Suri, commissioner, Customs.
The information routed through the Narcotics Control Bureau to the Customs suggested that Kasimu and Msuku, arriving from Adis Ababa, would carry cocaine on their person. When intercepted, both of them denied it and even went on to share breakfast as well as lunch with Customs officials. Those who ingest cocaine capsules for smuggling usually don't eat or drink as food intake poses a danger of bursting the capsules. On questioning and observing them for hours together, the officials almost decided to let them go; but just to be absolutely sure, they started the last round of interrogation when they realized that the two were up to some mischief. "Kasimu had complained of a shoulder injury but he picked up bags without any difficulty. He promptly changed his purpose of visit to treating a stomach ailment. Msuku said he was here for the treatment of a relative's kids," an official said. "We realized something was amiss and
decided to get them checked." Kasimu had also showed a printout claiming it was his doctor's appointment but the officials found it to be a page of a hospital website.
At the Esplanade Court, when the magistrate was about to grant permission to conduct an x-ray, Kasimu tried to flee. A chase ensued and the locals helped nab him near Metro cinema. Moments later, he died as one of the cocaine capsules in his stomach burst. "The two carriers were new in the trade. They were offered around $200 and briefed only on a need-to-know basis," an official said.
Officials said cocaine was in demand in Mumbai in the party circuit.
Intelligence information suggests the underworld and terrorists might have entered the drug trafficking business but no further details have emerged. "We will have to probe cases of illegal money transfers to see if they are drug related," an official said.
Officials said recent cases showed smugglers used women as carriers. "In 2013, 7 of 14 cases had female carriers. This is to evade detection," said an AIU official.