Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 137 kg of suspected crystal methamphetamine, valued at more than Rs 100 crore in the illicit drug market, in Tamil Nadu’s Nagapattinam district. Four people have been arrested in connection with the case, with investigators suspecting that the consignment was intended to be smuggled to Sri Lanka through a maritime route.
The seizure followed an intelligence-led operation conducted on October 16 and 17 after officials received specific information about a large consignment of narcotics stored in a coastal village. According to the Ministry of Finance, the suspected plan was to transport the drugs to Sri Lanka through a mid-sea transfer.
The four arrested individuals have been remanded to judicial custody, the ministry said in a statement on Sunday.
DRI Recovers 137 Kg of Suspected Crystal Meth
During the operation, DRI officers searched the suspected storage location and recovered six duffel bags containing 27 packets wrapped in silver foil. Each packet weighed approximately 5 kg and contained a white crystalline substance suspected to be high-purity methamphetamine.
The total gross weight of the seized substance was 137 kg. Officials confiscated the suspected narcotics under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
The estimated illicit market value of the consignment exceeds Rs 100 crore, making it a significant seizure in the region.
Rs 10 Lakh Cash, Vehicles Also Seized
During a simultaneous search at the premises of the suspected organiser, officials recovered Rs 10 lakh in cash. The money is believed to be linked to proceeds from drug sales, according to the Ministry of Finance.
The DRI also seized two four-wheelers and a two-wheeler allegedly used to transport the narcotics.
Investigators said the operation uncovered a suspected network involving people responsible for arranging the consignment’s transportation, storage and logistics, as well as its planned movement out of India.
Suspected Coastal Route to Sri Lanka Under Investigation
According to the ministry, the consignment was allegedly intended to leave India through a coastal route, with Sri Lanka identified as its destination. Investigators suspect that a mid-sea transfer was planned to move the drugs across the maritime boundary.
The seizure highlights enforcement efforts to prevent coastal areas from being used for the movement of illegal narcotics. Maritime routes and remote coastal locations can pose challenges for agencies seeking to detect and disrupt organised trafficking operations.
The DRI said the operation had removed a substantial quantity of suspected narcotics from circulation and disrupted the network believed to be involved in its movement.
The investigation is continuing to establish the roles of those arrested and identify any other people linked to the suspected trafficking operation.