Gujarat: DRI seizes nearly 3,000 kg heroin worth ₹15,000 cr at Mundra port

Officials stated on Tuesday that the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) confiscated 2,988.21 kg heroin worth Rs 15,000 crore from two containers at the Mundra port in Gujarat’s Kutch area and arrested a couple who owns an import enterprise from Chennai.

On the international market, one kilogramme of heroin costs around 5 crore.

DRI authorities confiscated two containers and sent samples for examination a few days ago after receiving credible information that the cargo included drugs from Afghanistan.

According to official authorities, a forensic study of the seized drug revealed the presence of heroin. A trading company based in Vijaywada, Andhra Pradesh, imported the shipment.

They said it was declared as semi-processed talc stones from Afghanistan that were sent from Iran’s Bandar Abbas Port to Gujarat’s Mundra Port.

“Under the provisions of the NDPS (Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act, a total of 2988.21 kg of heroin was seized, including 1999.57 kg heroin from one container and 988.64 kg heroin from the second container,” the sources added.

According to them, searches were performed in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad, Delhi, Chennai, Gandhidham, and Mandvi, and two people were arrested as a result. According to the sources, the inquiry so far has shown the involvement of some Afghan nationals who are being investigated.

The DRI arrested M. Sudhakar and his wife Durga Vaishali from Chennai a few days ago and brought them to Bhuj in Kutch after learning that the importer firm M/S Aashi Trading Company is run by them.

The two were brought before a special court for NDPS cases in Bhuj town on Monday. The DRI seized 2,988 kg of heroin, which the firm described as talc stones, according to special public prosecutor Kalpesh Goswami, who is seeking the remand of the accused pair.

The DRI was granted 10-day custody of the pair by special judge CM Pawar.