DRI seizes 24kg narcotic substances under Operation Chakravyuh

Kochi: In coordinated anti-narcotics operations recently carried out by Kochi unit of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), substantial quantities of drugs and psychotropic substances were seized from various locations across the state under Operation Chakravyuh. According to an official statement issued by Press Information Bureau, contraband including methaqualone, methamphetamine and hashish oil, intended for illicit distribution and trafficking, were among the seized items. The drugs were seized from Kochi, Malappuram and Thiruvananthapuram. “A total of over 24kg of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances has been seized in these operations. Five individuals, including key operatives involved in the trafficking networks, have been apprehended under the provisions of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act,” DRI said. The contraband was detected in different modes of smuggling, including passenger baggage at the airport, concealed in courier consignments and outbound export cargo. The cases include the arrest of two Andhra Pradesh natives with 3.5kg of methaqualone at Kochi airport. The passengers who arrived from Bangkok, Thailand, were intercepted based on specific intelligence. They arrived on a Thai Lion Air flight from Bangkok around 1am on Monday. The officers proceeded to inspect their baggage and belongings when the contraband was found concealed in two bags. The drug, a highly addictive sedative, was in the shape of soap bars. The statement said that the seizures were part of DRI’s drive against drug trafficking networks operating through international and domestic channels. During the last financial year, DRI Kochi unit had seized narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances valued at approximately Rs 70.76 crore in Kerala and arrested 21 persons in connection with various NDPS cases, said the statement.