DRI seizes 137 kg of crystal meth worth over Rs 100 crore in Tamil Nadu, four arrested
Nagapattinam (Tamil Nadu), Oct 19 (TNT: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 137 kg of suspected high-purity crystal methamphetamine, valued at over Rs 100 crore in the illicit market, in Tamil Nadu’s Nagapattinam district and arrested four persons for their alleged involvement in a drug trafficking network suspected of smuggling the contraband to Sri Lanka through a maritime route.
The intelligence-led operation was conducted during October 16 and 17, following specific inputs that a large consignment of narcotics had been transported to a coastal village for storage and onward smuggling to Sri Lanka through a mid-sea transfer, according to an official release.
During a search, DRI officers recovered six duffel bags containing 27 silver-foil packets, each weighing approximately 5 kg, with a white crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine.
The contraband was seized under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
In a simultaneous search at the premises of the suspected organiser, the officers seized Rs 10 lakh in cash, suspected to be proceeds of drug sales. Two four-wheelers and a two-wheeler allegedly used to transport the narcotics were also seized.
The investigation uncovered a suspected network involving individuals allegedly engaged in organising the coastal export, transportation, storage and logistical arrangements for the consignment.
Four persons have been arrested under the NDPS Act and remanded to judicial custody, the release said.
The DRI said the seizure had prevented a significant quantity of narcotics from entering illicit circulation and highlighted its efforts to disrupt organised drug trafficking and prevent the misuse of India’s coastline for smuggling narcotic substances.
TNT TS
