Tamil Nadu: DRI seizes pseudoephedrine worth Rs 110 crore from Chennai airport and arrests two

In a major drug bust, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Chennai unit arrested two shipping agents after the seizure of 112 kg of powdered pseudoephedrine from the Chennai airport.

Drug cartels now prefer Chennai and Trichy airports than neighboring states despite the watchful eye of DRI, NCB and other agencies.

In a major operation, DRI officials have intercepted a foiled drug smuggling attempt at the Chennai airport. Acting on a tip-off, they quickly intercepted a container at the Chennai port and conducted a raid. The shipment was destined for Australia. The sleuth found 112 kg of pseudoephedrine hidden in a shipping container filled with packets labeled ‘Quartz’ powder, worth Rs 110 crores in the local market. They found 37 packets of pseudoephedrine, each weighing 3 kg, hidden under 37 bags of quartz powder. Officials told the media that this white crystalline powder, classified as a controlled substance under the Narcotics Act, is mainly used in the production of Methamphetamine, a synthetic drug. The narcotics were smuggled to Australia via a cargo ship. Authorities have arrested two shipping agents, identified as Abudahir and Ahmed Basha under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, in connection with the smuggling operation. Authorities also seized two luxury cars linked to the suspects along with Rs3.9 lakh in cash. During the investigation, the duo admitted to sending similar shipments to Australia at least four times. Both were remanded in custody on September 26.

சென்னை ஆஸ்திரேலியாவுக்கு ஏற்றுமதி செய்யப்பட்ட செய்யப்பட்ட செய்யப்பட்ட செய்யப்பட்ட செய்யப்பட்ட செய்யப்பட்ட கிலோ கிலோ போதைப் பொருள் பறிமுதல் பறிமுதல். !!

“கிடைக்காம “இறக ்குமதி” தான் பண்றான்

ஆனா…. think it’s “ஏற்றுமதி” Frequently asked questions pic.twitter.com/DwgKuox8Dy

– Sanghi Prins (@SanghiPrince) September 27, 2024

This is the second major drug seizure by DRI in 30 days. In August, it seized 10.13 kg of methamphetamine worth Rs 50.65 crore and arrested six persons.

Earlier this month, another operation led to the recovery of 4 kg of pseudoephedrine, worth Rs 40 lakh, from the Chennai airport, where it was hidden under trophies, also meant for export to Australia.

Earlier in March this year, NCB arrested ex-DMK NRI wing official and international drug trafficker Jaffer Sadiq for smuggling pseudoephedrine. NCB said that based on a tip-off from New Zealand and Australian police authorities about pseudoephedrine being sent from India to their countries in the guise of food items worth over Rs 2,000 crores, three men were caught red-handed from their warehouse in the Basai in West Delhi. Darapur. The cartel, led by Jaffer Sadiq, used air and ship freight to ship their products. It has its brother, Md. Saleem, arrested.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed charges against the international drug trafficker and former DMK NRI wing official and 12 others, including his business partner and film director Ameer Sulthan, in the money laundering case at the Principal Sessions Court on September 18.