In a significant drug interdiction operation, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in Bhubaneswar seized a substantial consignment of marijuana, valued at approximately Rs 7.5 crore in the international market, and apprehended two individuals linked to the smuggling racket.
Airport Interception Leads to Major Haul
Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers at the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar intercepted a passenger who had arrived on a flight from Bangkok on Saturday. The individual, a resident of Mumbai, was detained for a thorough inspection.
During the check, officials recovered 8 kilograms of high-grade marijuana from his possession. Investigators noted that the narcotic substance was meticulously packed in aluminium foil wrappers, a common method employed by smugglers to conceal the contraband and evade detection by security apparatus during transit.
The Chase for the Kerala Receiver
Preliminary interrogation of the detained Mumbai man revealed that the consignment was allegedly intended for a receiver from the state of Kerala. Following this lead, DRI teams immediately launched a search operation to track down this intended recipient, who was believed to be present in Bhubaneswar to collect the illicit shipment.
The suspected receiver, in an attempt to avoid capture, employed evasive tactics including frequently changing his location and switching off his mobile phones. However, DRI personnel engaged in a persistent five-hour chase, meticulously tracking his movements across the city before successfully detaining him.
A Significant Breakthrough in Drug Enforcement
Officials have described this operation as a major breakthrough, highlighting the simultaneous detention of both the carrier and the alleged receiver as a key achievement. This dual arrest is expected to provide crucial insights into the modus operandi and network behind this smuggling attempt.
This seizure marks the latest in a series of successful drug interdictions at the city's airport. In a similar incident just ahead of the New Year celebrations, the DRI had recovered marijuana worth around Rs 4 crore from another international passenger, where the contraband was concealed inside luggage.
The latest bust underscores the heightened vigilance of central agencies at key transit points and their continued crackdown on the illegal narcotics trade entering the country via air routes.
