Mumbai cruise rave bust: How NCB carried out its daring operation

Laying out details of the operation, NCB chief SN Pradhan said the raids carried out onboard the cruise ship headed for Goa was the outcome of meticulous investigation that went on for two weeks.

Asianet Newsable English

Mumbai, First Published Oct 3, 2021, 2:01 PM IST | Last Updated Oct 3, 2021, 2:56 PM IST

The raid conducted on the high sea by the Narcotics Control Bureau off the Mumbai coast to bust a high-profile rave party was planned to perfection.

Laying out details of the operation, NCB chief SN Pradhan said the raids carried out onboard the cruise ship headed for Goa was the outcome of a meticulous investigation that went on for two weeks.

Also Read: Cruise ship rave bust: NCB interrogating Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan, others

Pradhan said that the agency gathered inputs and took the action when their informants suggested that drugs like MDM, Ecstacy had been taken on board the ship for consumption at the party.

NCB officers went undercover as passengers onboard the cruise ship, mingled with other passengers and waited for the party to begin.

As soon as the cruise ship left the Mumbai coast and entered the sea, the rave party began.

Also Read: NCB raids cruise ship, Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan among 8 detained

Officers spotted some individuals consuming drugs after which the officers sprung into action and cracked down on the party.

Stating that the agency was carrying out its investigations fairly, the NCB chief said that if during the course of further probe names of influential people, either from Bollywood or otherwise, were to emerge the agency will proceed with prosecuting them as per law.

Pradhan also revealed that the cruise ship rave party bust could lead to the unravelling of a bigger nationwide network.

He further said that Darkweb may have been used to source the drugs that were used in the rave party.

Jurgen Bailom, president and CEO of Cordelia Cruises, has already confirmed that the NCB official found drugs in some passengers' baggage.

However, the cruise company clarified that it was in no way -- directly or indirectly -- connected to this incident.

In their statement, Cordelia Cruises said it had chartered its ship for a private event to a Delhi-based event management company.

The company further said that it was extending full support and cooperation to the authorities in the probe.

The NCB chief said that it could take weeks for the entire network to be exposed. This (cruise ship rave party) is only the beginning, Pradhan said, adding that a Delhi connection has already emerged.

A wider syndicate may soon be revealed, he added.

Also Read: Besides Aryan Khan, Shah Rukh Khan's wife Gauri Khan was once linked with a drugs case

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