To curb the growing network of synthetic and party drugs across the country, the Directorate General of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), functioning under the Union Finance Ministry, has simultaneously carried out two big and precise operations. Based on intelligence inputs, special teams of DRI have achieved historic success in seizing more than 18 kg of high quality Amphetamine and MDMA while conducting strategic raids in Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka and Pune, the major city of Maharashtra. During this entire operation, a total of four vicious accused, including two women carriers who were traveling by trains with a consignment of banned drugs from Delhi, have been arrested red handed. According to investigating agencies, international and interstate drug smugglers were now using the vast network of Indian Railways to evade the strict surveillance of airports and road routes. This entire conspiracy to supply these deadly synthetic drugs from Delhi-NCR to the pub-clubs and high-profile party circles of South and West India was foiled due to the promptness of DRI. 14.9 kg amphetamine recovered at KSR Bengaluru station: Female smuggler had arrived from Delhi. DRI Headquarters had received precise intelligence that a huge consignment of narcotics was being transported through an express train from the national capital New Delhi to Bengaluru. After this, officials of DRI Bengaluru Zonal Unit laid siege to Krantiveer Sangolli Rayanna (KSR) Bengaluru City Railway Station. As soon as the train stopped on the platform, the officers stopped the suspected female passenger and took her into custody. When his luggage was thoroughly searched, seven large packets containing white-yellow crystalline powder were recovered from his bag. Officials conducted a chemical test on the spot through Field Drug Detection Kit, which confirmed the presence of banned narcotic substance 'Amphetamine'. The total weight of this consignment recovered from Bengaluru station was approximately 14.9 kg. Controlled Delivery Operation: Two receivers who had come to take the delivery were also caught red handed. DRI did not limit this operation only to the arrest of the woman smuggler, but immediately started a 'Controlled Delivery' operation to reach the root of the entire network. Under this, the female carrier was allowed to proceed in the same way as she used to go for delivery on normal days. The DRI team took position in plain clothes at the fixed delivery location. As soon as the local receiver from Bengaluru reached the spot to collect the consignment, he was immediately nabbed. Based on his quick interrogation, another link was revealed and the team went ahead and arrested the third person who was to further distribute this entire stock among various sub-dealers and parties in the city. In this way, the three main accused involved in smuggling, transportation and receiving goods in Bengaluru were sent behind bars under the NDPS Act (1985). Second major operation at Pune Junction: 2.53 kg amphetamine and MDMA pills recovered from bag On the same day, DRI conducted a second strike based on another independent but similar intelligence at Pune railway station in Maharashtra. The team of officials intercepted another Indian woman passenger who reached Pune Junction by train from Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station in Delhi. During a thorough search of the luggage of the female passenger, investigating officers found two different types of synthetic drugs: 2.53 kg of amphetamine: High-grade crystalline amphetamine was found hidden in a secret compartment inside the bag. 878 grams of MDMA tablets: Along with this, hundreds of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) tablets (Ecstasy Tablets) weighing 878 grams were also seized. The female accused caught in Pune was also arrested and presented in the court on charges of illegal drug trafficking. Taking the total seizures of both the cities together, DRI stopped more than 18.3 kg of dangerous synthetic drugs from going into the open market in a single day. Train route becomes new safe passage of drugs mafia: This double success of DRI in supply chain from NCR to Southern and Western Hub has exposed the new modus operandi of smugglers, in which women are working as couriers or carriers. Due to 3D Initial investigation has revealed that this entire syndicate was preparing the goods from underground synthetic labs located in Delhi-NCR and border areas or it was being processed through illegal precursor chemicals. After this, the plan was to hide it in low weight packets in women's purses, inner lining of trolley bags and among clothes and sell it at huge profits in colleges, IT professionals and club culture areas of metro cities like Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad and Mumbai. 150 kg drugs seized in 15 days: DRI's nationwide campaign and strict action under NDPS Act. This action of the Directorate General of Revenue Intelligence is not limited to any one city or area. According to the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), the DRI has succeeded in seizing around 150 kg of Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS) in five separate operations conducted across the country within the last two weeks (a fortnight). Major operations conducted by the agency in recent weeks include: North-eastern border strikes: Nearly 76 kg of methamphetamine tablets were seized during two major operations in the north-eastern states along the India-Myanmar border. Crackdown on maritime and export consignments: 55.86 kg of high-purity drug paraphernalia hidden inside corn sacks was seized in a commercial export shipment being sent to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Stringent legal provisions: All the arrested accused have been booked under non-bailable sections (Sections 8, 21, 22 and 29) of the NDPS Act, which have a provision of rigorous imprisonment of 10 to 20 years and heavy fine due to the commercial quantity. Black business of synthetic drugs: Deadly for the youth and close watch of intelligence agencies. Narcotic drugs like amphetamine and MDMA are extremely dangerous chemical compounds that stimulate the Central Nervous System (CNS). These drugs suddenly increase the levels of dopamine and serotonin in the brain, causing a feeling of extreme excitement for some time. But their regular or uncontrolled consumption causes heart attack, stroke, hallucination, organ failure and mental imbalance. Experts say that while conventional drugs like heroin or cocaine are based on plants, synthetic drugs can be synthesized from easily available chemicals (precursors like Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine) in illegal laboratories. Due to this, their costs are reduced and profits are many times higher. DRI, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and local police are now carrying out intensive search operations at various locations in Delhi, Pune and Bengaluru in search of the financiers, darknet handles and hawala operators who are the masterminds behind this entire gang. Agency officials say that this nationwide operation will continue with the same aggression until the entire supply network and money trail is completely destroyed.
