Mumbai: DRI busts international drug smuggling racket, 3.5 kgs of hydroponic weed seized

The seized consignment. Pic/ Faizan Khan

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has unearthed an international drugs smuggling racket in a multi-agency coordinated operation across three states.

According to the DRI, based on specific intelligence received, officers of DRI in Mumbai has seized 3.5 kgs of hydroponic weed from a USA origin postal consignment that was misdeclared as ‘food items' at Foreign Post Office, Mumbai. The said consignment was consigned to Hyderabad, Telangana.

DRI officials said that sustained investigation revealed that the cartel operated from different states and the consignment was to be exchanged in Delhi instead of sending to Hyderabad at the consignee address. Surveillance were kept and two persons including the mastermind of the cartel were arrested in Hyderabad.

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"Further investigation revealed use of dark web in placing the order from USA and use of crypto currency in making payment for the same. A total of 5.3 kgs of ganja (hydroponic weed) having value of Rs. 2.36 crores in the illicit market has been recovered and seized in this case including 1.8 kgs seized from Delhi."
DRI said in its official statement

"Further investigation is in progress," a statement issued by the DRI said.