New Delhi, August 1: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has intensified its crackdown on smuggling networks, leading to the arrest of 20 individuals, including five foreign nationals, over the past week.
Authorities seized a range of illicit items, including gold, heroin, MDMA, and other banned substances. A DRI official provided details on Saturday regarding these operations.
In a statement, the DRI revealed that the confiscated goods included hydroponic cannabis, red sandalwood, prohibited wildlife products, e-cigarettes, and foreign-origin poppy seeds and betel nuts. Approximately 9.5 kilograms of gold, valued at around ₹14 crore, was seized, resulting in the arrest of nine individuals.
The statement highlighted that the arrests of these 20 suspects, including five foreign nationals involved in smuggling and illegal trade, unveiled new tactics employed by organized crime syndicates.
On July 29, two foreign nationals arriving from Dubai were apprehended at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. During the search, authorities discovered 40 gold bars weighing 4 kilograms hidden in their luggage.
In separate operations conducted jointly by the DRI and Border Security Force personnel along the India-Bangladesh border, officials seized approximately 3.2 kilograms of foreign-origin gold. This included gold recovered from individuals near the border fence in Tungi, at the Hili border gate, and from a motorcycle rider near Nityanandkati in Hakimpur. Three individuals, including a woman, were arrested in connection with these recoveries.
Additionally, the DRI conducted three different operations in Varanasi, Delhi, and Tamil Nadu, seizing around 2.2 kilograms of gold and arresting four individuals.
In a significant drug enforcement action, the DRI, with assistance from Assam Rifles and Manipur Police, intercepted a vehicle near Churachandpur in Manipur. They discovered approximately 2.7 kilograms of heroin concealed within 220 soap boxes, leading to the arrest of two individuals.
In two other operations in Mumbai, DRI officials stopped two foreign female nationals traveling from Delhi and found synthetic drugs hidden in specially designed compartments of their luggage. This resulted in the seizure of about 2 kilograms of amphetamine crystals and MDMA tablets. Both travelers were arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985.
In a notable case related to the illegal import of wildlife products, DRI officials uncovered an attempt to import approximately 14 metric tons of guggul resin from Pakistan, valued at around ₹1.4 crore. The shipment was falsely declared as natural resin originating from Somalia and was intended to be sent via Dubai.
Leave a Comment