NIA takes over Mundra port drug seizure probe

The National Investigation Agency has taken up the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence probe into the 2988.21 kilograms of heroin seizure from Mundra port. A press release stated that the central agency took over the probe based on Ministry of Home Affairs order.

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency has taken up the investigation of the seizure of 2988.21 kilograms of heroin from Mundra port in Gujarat.

​In pursuance of the Ministry of Home Affairs order dated October 6, NIA has taken up the investigation of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence case under section 120 B IPC, section 8(C), 23 of NDPS Act and section 17, 18 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 against accused Machavaram Sudhakaran, Durga PV Govindaraju, Rajkumar P and others, as per press release.

The central agency, Enforcement Directorate had to initiate probe into the matter under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Eight people have been arrested in connection with the case including Sudhakar and his wife Vaishali, another Indian, four Afghan nationals and Uzbek national. The DRI arrested the couple from Chennai and later they were brought to Bhuj town in Kutch. They were produced before a special court for NDPS cases in Bhuj on September 20 that granted 10 days custody of the duo to the DRI.

DRI investigation found that drugs coming into India from Afghanistan via Iran were being stored in warehouses in Delhi and Noida and transported to various places from there. A total of 16.1 kg of heroin and 10.2 kg of cocaine were seized from a warehouse in Delhi. 11 kg of heroin was seized from a house in Noida.

As per the DRI sources, Sudhakar received supplies from Afghanistan and Iran to his Vijayawada address. Raids were conducted in Delhi, Noida, Chennai, Coimbatore, Ahmedabad, Mandvi, Gandhidham and Vijayawada acting on a tip-off from Sudhakar. The case pertains to the DRI, an enforcement agency under the Union Finance Ministry like the ED, seizing a total of 2,988.21 kilograms heroin disguised as consignment of ‘Semi-processed Talc stones’ from the Mundra port in the Kutch district on September 15.