In a major drug haul, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) unit Chennai arrested two shipping agents following the seizure of 112 kg of Pseudoephedrine in powder form from Chennai airport.
Drug cartels now prefer Chennai and Trichy airports than neighbouring states despite the watchful eyes of DRI, NCB and other agencies.
In a major operation, officials from the DRI have intercepted foiled drug-smuggling attempt at the Chennai airport. Acting on a tip-off, they swiftly intercepted a container at Chennai port and conducted a raid. The consignment was bound for Australia. The sleuth found 112 kg of pseudoephedrine concealed in a shipping container filled with packets labelled as ‘Quartz’ powder valued at Rs 110 crores in the local market. They found 37 packets of Pseudoephedrine, each weighing 3 kg, hidden beneath 37 bags of quartz powder. Officials told media that this white crystalline powder, classified as a controlled substance under the Narcotics Act, is primarily used in the production of Methamphetamine, a synthetic drug. The narcotics were being smuggled to Australia via cargo ship. Authorities have arrested two shipping agents, identified as Abudahir and Ahmed Basha under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, in connection with the smuggling operation. Authorities also seized two luxury cars linked to the suspects, along with Rs3.9 lakh in cash. During the investigation, the duo admitted that they had sent similar consignments at least four times to Australia. Both were remanded in judicial custody on September 26.
சென்னை துறைமுகத்திலிருந்து ஆஸ்திரேலியாவுக்கு ஏற்றுமதி செய்யப்பட்ட 112 கிலோ போதைப் பொருள் பறிமுதல்.!!
குஜராத்காரனாவது போதைப்பொருள் கிடைக்காம "இறக்குமதி" தான் பண்றான்
ஆனா…இந்த திராவிட பசங்க தேவைக்கு அதிகமா போதை பொருள் இருக்கிறதுனால "ஏற்றுமதி" பண்ற அளவுக்கு வளர்ந்துட்டானுங்க😂 pic.twitter.com/DwgKuox8Dy
— Sanghi Prince 🚩 (@SanghiPrince) September 27, 2024
This is the second major seizure of drugs by DRI in 30 days. In August, it seized 10.13 kg of methamphetamine worth Rs 50.65 crore and arrested six persons.
Earlier this month, another operation led to the recovery of 4 kg of Pseudoephedrine, valued at Rs 40 lakh, from Chennai airport, where it was concealed under trophies, also intended for export to Australia.
Earlier in March this year, NCB arrested ex-DMK NRI wing functionary and international drug trafficker Jaffer Sadiq for smuggling pseudoephedrine. NCB said that acting on a tip-off from New Zealand and Australian police authorities about pseudoephedrine being sent to their countries from India under the guise of food products worth over 2000 crores, three men were caught red-handed from their warehouse in West Delhi’s Basai Darapur. The cartel, led by Jaffer Sadiq, used air and ship cargo to send their products. It has arrested his brother, Md. Saleem.
Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed charge sheets against international drug trafficker and former DMK NRI wing functionary and 12 others, including his business partner and film director Ameer Sulthan, in the money laundering case in Principal Sessions Court on September 18.
