The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has busted a rave party onboard a cruise ship off the coast of Mumbai. A team of NCB officials seized various illegal drugs such as cocaine, hashish, and MDMA during the raid on Cordelia Cruises’ Empress ship.
As per NCB zonal director Sameer Wankhede, seven to eight people have been detained. Sources told India Today TV that a Bollywood superstar’s son is among the people likely detained by the NCB. As per sources, those detained by the NCB will be brought back to Mumbai on Sunday.
The raid on Saturday happened during a major event on the Empress ship, which was inaugurated just two weeks ago.
Acting on a tip-off, NCB officials led by zonal director Sameer Wankhede boarded the ship disguised as passengers on Saturday.
The rave party began once the ship had left the coast of Mumbai and reached mid-sea. Following this, NCB officials present on the ship immediately swung into action and detained a number of individuals who were seen openly consuming illegal drugs.
The raid was underway for over seven hours. Many rooms were searched while some are yet to be looked at by the officials. After the raid, the Empress ship is likely to return to Mumbai international cruise terminal.
WHAT WAS HAPPENING ON THE SHIP?
A rave party was organised onboard Cordelia Cruises’ Empress ship from October 2 to October 4. It was to be a ‘musical voyage’ with a hundred tickets on sale. The rest of the passes were distributed directly by the organisers.
As per sources, the event was organised by Fashion TV India along with Delhi-based company Namascray Experience.
The event was allegedly overbooked, leading to several people being left stranded and unable to board the ship.
One person who had booked a berth on the Empress ship told India Today that the organisers refused to let her board. They told her the ship was “overbooked”.
Another person said that he paid Rs 82,000 to buy his pass but was not allowed to board the ship.
Surjitt Sahani
