19 Jul DRI Busts Major Smuggling Racket: Drugs, Arms, Cigarettes Seized
Relevance for UPSC & State PCS: Polity & Governance
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has conducted multiple intelligence-based operations nationwide, leading to significant seizures and arrests, demonstrating its ongoing efforts against organized smuggling gangs and international criminal networks. These operations resulted in the confiscation of 15 kilograms of methamphetamine tablets, approximately 4 kilograms of pseudoephedrine, about 85 lakh smuggled cigarettes, and two Pakistan-made pistols dropped by drones, with five individuals arrested. The methamphetamine, suspected to have been smuggled from Myanmar via Mizoram, was found hidden in a truck on the Aizawl-Champhai road, leading to one arrest under the NDPS Act, 1985. Separately, a container declared as “plastic storage boxes” from Dubai at Nhava Sheva, Mumbai, was intercepted, revealing approximately 85 lakh foreign-made Gold Flake brand cigarettes valued at ₹20 crore.
Further operations included the recovery of two Pakistan-made pistols and magazines near the international border in the Amritsar Sector, Punjab, which were dropped by drones and subsequently handed over to the police for action under the Arms Act, 1959. In Chennai, a raid on a clandestine hideout based on intelligence led to the seizure of approximately 4 kilograms of pseudoephedrine, a precursor chemical for methamphetamine, hidden in a specially constructed cave. Initial investigations suggest this pseudoephedrine was intended for illegal export, and four individuals were arrested under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985.
For UPSC and State PCS aspirants, this incident highlights critical aspects of Polity & Governance, particularly concerning internal security, law enforcement, and international cooperation. The DRI’s actions underscore the multifaceted challenges posed by cross-border smuggling, drug trafficking, illegal tobacco trade, and arms proliferation, which directly impact national security and economic stability. The involvement of drones for dropping weapons from across the border, as seen in Punjab, indicates evolving methods used by criminal networks and the need for advanced surveillance and counter-measures, relevant for understanding border management and security apparatus.
The seizures and arrests, spanning different states and involving various illicit goods, illustrate the pervasive nature of organized crime and the robust response required from agencies like the DRI. This case exemplifies the practical application of various laws such as the NDPS Act, 1985, and the Arms Act, 1959, and the inter-agency coordination necessary to combat these threats. It also emphasizes the government’s commitment to a “Nasha Mukt Bharat” (drug-free India) and the continuous efforts to dismantle criminal syndicates, providing valuable insights into the operational challenges and strategic responses in maintaining law and order and safeguarding national interests.
Source: PIB (Press Information Bureau)
Practice Questions
Q1. Which agency recently seized a significant quantity of methamphetamine, pseudoephedrine, smuggled cigarettes, and Pakistan-made pistols dropped by drones?
- Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)
- Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)
- Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
- Border Security Force (BSF)
Answer
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) — The news story explicitly states that the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 15 kg of methamphetamine, 4 kg of pseudoephedrine, 85 lakh smuggled cigarettes, and 2 Pakistan-made pistols dropped by drones during a nationwide operation.
Q2. What types of contraband were seized by the DRI in their recent nationwide operation, according to the provided information?
- Only illegal drugs like methamphetamine and pseudoephedrine.
- Only smuggled cigarettes and firearms.
- Illegal drugs, smuggled cigarettes, and firearms.
- Counterfeit currency and gold.
Answer
Illegal drugs, smuggled cigarettes, and firearms. — The story mentions the seizure of ’15 kilograms of methamphetamine, 4 kilograms of pseudoephedrine’ (illegal drugs), ‘smuggled 85 lakh cigarettes’ (smuggled goods), and ‘2 Pakistan-made pistols dropped by drones’ (firearms).
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