Tag: Directorate of Revenue Intelligence

  • Gujarat: Congress targets Modi government over Mundra Port drug haul

    By PTI

    AHMEDABAD: Congress on Thursday attacked the BJP-led government at the Centre over the seizure of heroin worth Rs 21,000 crore at the Mundra port in Gujarat, and demanded a “detailed probe” by all the key agencies including the CBI.

    The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 2,988.21 kg of heroin from two containers at the Mundra port in Kutch district two weeks ago and subsequently arrested eight persons including five foreign nationals.

    Holding a press conference here, Congress’ national spokesperson Pawan Khera also questioned why the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), which has the mandate to fight drug menace, does not have a full-time Director General at present.

    “Some media reports claimed that before this seizure, 25 tonnes of heroin had arrived at the same port in June and made its way to other parts of the country without being detected. Gujarat, the land of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel, is slowly becoming drugs capital of the country,” Khera said.

    “Who are the bigger players behind this entire racket? Who is running this network?” he asked.

    Why narcotic substances are landing at this port “on a regular basis” and not at other ports, the Congress leader further questioned.

    Notably, the Adani Group which runs the Mundra port had earlier issued a statement saying that only government authorities including the DRI are allowed to open, examine and seize unlawful cargo, and not port operators.

    Khera demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah take steps to bust the drug network.

    He also asked why the government has not appointed a full-time DG of the NCB.

    Capturing smuggled drug consignments was the NCB’s job, the Congress spokesperson said.

    “The BJP government can not escape its responsibility. Congress will force the government to provide answers. We want the Centre to conduct a detailed inquiry through all the key agencies such as CBI and NCB,” he said.

  • Heroin seized at Adani’s Mundra port was meant to reach Delhi: DRI officials

    By Express News Service

    MUMBAI: A massive consignment of heroin, valued at more than Rs 19,899 crore, was confiscated at Mundra port in Gujarat by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). 

    While the ED filed a money laundering probe, the DRI arrested a couple who runs an import firm in connection with the case. It is being said that the consignment was to reach Vijaywada. But, senior DRI authorities claimed that the heroin was intended for Delhi.

    Roughly three tonnes of heroin – one of the largest consignments in the recent years – were shipped to India through an Iranian port, official said, adding that the consignment is believed to have originated from Afghanistan. 

    According to the police, it was found that Govindaraju Durga Purna Vaishali, a resident of Chennai, had registered the firm in August 2020. Machavaram Sudhakar is Vaishali’s husband. The Department of Foreign Trade had granted them export and import licences, according to officials. 

    It was found that Sudhakar and Vaishali had lived in Chennai for a long time. The heroin confiscated at Mundra Port was headed for Delhi, not Vijaywada as some media outlets had reported, the senior DRI authorities said. 

  • DRI’s Indore unit records largest-ever cannabis seizure of 3,092 kg, three arrested

    By ANI
    INDORE: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence’s (DRI) Indore Zonal Unit (IZU) has recorded its highest-ever seizure of cannabis – 3,092 kilograms worth about Rs 6.19 crores.

    Three people were arrested in the case on Sunday.

    As per a statement, the police received information that the accused would transport a huge quantity of cannabis (ganja) concealed in a truck with cover cargo as mangoes.

    Accordingly, surveillance was mounted for the suspected vehicle and officers of DRI Units of Bhopal and Indore intercepted it. Packets containing ganja (cannabis) weighing a total of 3,092 were recovered and seized.

    All three persons have been arrested under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, and produced before NDPS Court in Bhopal.

    Further investigation is in progress in the case.