Chennai: Preliminary investigation by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence into 3,000-kilogram heroin seizure in Mundra port revealed that arrested M Sudhakar and his wife G Durga Purna Vaishali were involved in the drug smuggling from Afghanistan through Mundra port.
The couple revealed that a fake company Aasi Trading Company was established last year in Vijayawada in August. Sudhakar revealed that they obtained permission to import talcum powder from Afghanistan-based Hassan Hussein private company through Iranian port to Gujarat's Mundra port. He also added that Amit acted as an intermediary in India who contacted Afghan man Javid.
The probe also found out that drugs were imported from Afghanistan under the company's name to Mundra port on June 9 and drugs were sent to Chennai as well. Documents were prepared for the same and Sudhakar revealed that it was done under Amit's direction. Analysis of port documents led to DRI's findings with the help of Chennai Police. The case is being probed in full swing by DRI, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu police.
The case so far
A case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act has been registered and the Enforcement Directorate will commence the money laundering probe. National Investigation Agency (NIA) is investigating the role of militant groups in the wake of the latest Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan.
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 on Wednesday. 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 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 from the Mundra port in the Kutch district on September 15.
Also read: ED launches money laundering probe into Mundra Port heroin seizure case
