In the single largest heroin haul in India, authorities seized around 3,000 kg of the drug, believed to be from Afghanistan and likely worth Rs 21,000 crore in the global market, from two containers at the Mundra port in Gujarat’s Kutch district.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) initiated a money-laundering probe into the haul, among the biggest across the globe, while the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), which seized the 2,988.21 kg heroin, arrested a couple that runs an import firm from Chennai, officials said. The value of the seized heroin per kilogram was about Rs 5-7 crore in the international market, an official said.
The ED is studying the details of the case and proceeding forward under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), he said. The agency has also sought details from DRI on the seizure which took place around September 15. Official sources said the consignment was imported by a trading company registered in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, as semi-processed talc stones. The narcotic is stated to be of Afghanistan origin and was shipped from Bandar Abbas Port in Iran to the Mundra Port. DRI conducted searches in Ahmedabad, Delhi, Chennai, Gandhidham, and Mandvi in Gujarat, following which two persons were arrested.
