In a major development, officers of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Chennai Zone has seized 36 kgs of Methamphetamine drug worth around Rs. 180 crores at Madurai Railway Station and Kondungaiyur dump yard in Chennai.
Upon receiving specific intelligence that a passenger travelling via Pothigai Express Train from Chennai to Madurai on February 29 would be carrying Narcotic (NDPS) substances, a meticulous plan was laid out to trap the said passenger at Madurai Railway Station.
On March 01, morning when the train reached Madurai Railway station, an extensive surveillance was carried out and the said passenger was identified and intercepted with the help of RPF officials. On examination of his baggage, 15 packets weighing 30 kgs in total containing white coloured crystal substance was found which on testing was found to be Methamphetamine, a NDPS substance and was seized.
Upon interrogation, the accused revealed that some more Methamphetamine packets were kept at his home in Chennai. In a swift follow-up, his home was searched but by then the wife of the accused had thrown away the narcotic packets in the dustbin and the garbage was already taken to Kondungaiyur dump yard.
A DRI team then went to the dump yard and after extensive search in the garbage dump, recovered three packets weighing six kilograms in total containing white coloured crystal substance tested to be Methamphetamine which was seized.
A DRI team then went to the dump yard and after extensive search in the garbage dump, recovered three packets weighing six kilograms in total containing white coloured crystal substance tested to be Methamphetamine which was seized. The International Market Value of the total seized narcotics substance is around Rs.180 crores.
From preliminary investigation, it was unearthed that he was carrying the said contraband item for further transportation to Sri Lanka via coastal route. Both the passenger and his wife have been detained and further investigation is under progress.
Methamphetamine, also known as “ice” or “crystal meth” is a highly addictive psychostimulant drug which exhibits powerful euphoric effects similar to those of cocaine leading to life threatening consequences. DRI has been at the forefront in the fight against drug menace in the country and recently had caught an Indonesian passenger at Chennai Airport carrying 2.79 kgs of cocaine worth Rs. 27.9 crores.