Drugs worth ₹21,000 Cr from Afghanistan seized at Gujarat port

New Delhi, September 21: In one of the largest drug racket busts in India, the Directorate of Revenue and Intelligence (DRI) has seized nearly three tonnes of ₹21,000 crores with a street value of ₹21,000 crores (£2bn) from two containers at Mundra port in Gujarat. The Heroin that was seized at Mundra Port in Gujarat was brought in from Iran and Afghanistan.

 

The officials had reportedly stopped the consignment for further investigation. During the search, they discovered that drugs worth crores were being imported under the guise of talcum powder. They found 1,999.58kg of heroin packed in two bags in one container and 988.64 kg of heroin in one bag in another container. It was layered between the talc to avoid detection by security and customs officials.

 

 

Experts from the Gandhi Nagar Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) examined the substance and found it to be “very high quality” heroin that likely originated in Afghanistan. Officials have estimated the worth of heroin at ₹7 crores per kg in the international market, which makes it the largest seizure in India ever.

 

Initial investigation has linked the smuggled contraband to one Aashi Trading firm based out of Andhra Pradesh’s Vijayawada.

 

 

 

Along with two people from Vijaywada, a woman named Vaishali has also been picked up from Chennai for questioning. She has been brought to Kutch in Gujarat for investigation. The woman had obtained an import and export license from the Director-General of Foreign Trade to help in smuggling heroin along with Talcum powder. An officer has also been sent to Delhi with the sample to get it tested for purity.

 

As per the reports, heroin was alleged to be taken to Delhi, after which it was to be taken to other states, especially, Punjab. Two men were arrested in the case. Owing to that, searches have been carried out at several places, including Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Gandhidham in Gujarat and a few places in Andhra Pradesh. "Searches have been conducted in Ahmedabad, Delhi, Chennai, Gandhidham, and Mandvi in Gujarat," the agency said in a statement.

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