The Narcotics Control Bureau has seized 4.776 kilograms of cocaine valued at more than ₹23 crore from a Brazilian national at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru.

According to the agency, the Bengaluru Zonal Unit acted on specific intelligence and intercepted the passenger in the early hours of Tuesday after he landed from São Paulo via Doha. During the search, officials found four women’s handbags that had been specially altered with false walls and hidden compartments.

The concealed sections reportedly contained clothing and fabric that had been chemically treated and infused with cocaine, a method investigators believe was used to evade detection.

The accused has been detained for detailed questioning to identify the source of the consignment, its intended destination and any wider network involved. The NCB said legal proceedings have been initiated under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.