Western Railway authorities have achieved a major success in their ongoing campaign against drug smuggling known as ‘Operation Narcos’. On February 21, 2026, security teams recovered a massive consignment of contraband valued at approximately ₹13.83 crore from Bandra Terminus in Mumbai. The illegal substance was found hidden inside an unclaimed bag on the Awadh Express train.
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How did the security team detect the contraband?
The discovery took place during a thorough inspection by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Government Railway Police (GRP). Officers noticed an unclaimed bag inside the Awadh Express, which connects Bandra to eastern India. To verify the contents safely, the team called in the specialized Dog Squad.
Two trained canines, Tango and Rocky, played a critical role in the operation. They sniffed the bag and quickly signaled the presence of narcotics. When officials opened the bag, they found 31 packets wrapped in brown tape. These packets contained 13.834 kg of Charas (Hashish), confirming the high value of the seizure.
What is the current status of the investigation?
A case has been formally registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act following the seizure. As no passenger claimed the bag, the authorities are now working to trace the person responsible. Police and railway officials are currently scanning CCTV footage from Bandra Terminus and other stations along the route to identify the individual who boarded the train with this bag.
This seizure highlights the increased security measures at major railway hubs. The RPF has been empowered to conduct such searches to prevent the railway network from being used for transporting illegal goods into cities like Mumbai.