'Student of the Year' actor caught with 3.5kg cocaine worth Rs 35 crore at Chennai Airport

In a major drug bust, a Bollywood supporting actor was apprehended at Chennai Airport with 3.5kg of cocaine, estimated to be worth around Rs 35 crore in the international market. The seizure was part of a joint operation conducted by Chennai Customs and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), according to a report by TOI.

Actor Intercepted During Routine Check

The actor, known for his minor roles in films including Student of the Year, was stopped by air intelligence officials in the early hours of Sunday upon his arrival from Singapore. Customs officials discovered plastic pouches filled with a white powder hidden in a false compartment at the bottom of his trolley. A field test confirmed the substance as cocaine.

Actor’s Account and Investigation

As per a TOI report, during interrogation, the actor reportedly claimed that he received the trolley in Cambodia from unknown individuals and was instructed to hand it over to a receiver at Chennai Airport. However, officials suspect he intended to transport the drugs further to cities like Mumbai or Delhi, where organised drug networks operate.


Customs authorities are currently examining his travel history to determine if he has been involved in previous drug smuggling activities, while the DRI continues to investigate the larger network behind the operation.

Part of a Series of Recent Cocaine Seizures

This incident marks the second significant cocaine seizure at Chennai Airport in the past two weeks. Earlier in September, Chennai Customs seized 5.6kg of cocaine hidden in Ferrero Rocher chocolate cans, leading to the arrest of two passengers arriving from Ethiopia.

A separate seizure on 16 September involved a Kenyan national detained with 2kg of cocaine arriving from Ethiopia.

Authorities have emphasised their commitment to cracking down on drug trafficking and said that the recent operations highlight the growing sophistication of smuggling attempts through Indian airports.

With Bollywood personalities allegedly involved, the case has grabbed widespread attention, raising concerns about the intersection of organised crime and the entertainment industry.

Inputs from TOI