Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) in a joint operation, named ‘Gear Box’, recovered 39.5kgs of suspected powdered narcotic substance from Kolkata Port. The value of the contraband is estimated to be ₹200 crore, according to a senior Gujarat Police official.
Sources told The New Indian that 72 packets of a powdered substance were recovered from a container from Dubai. The detailed examination by field test kits confirmed the presence of heroin. A further detailed examination is being continued, the source said.
Acting on joint intelligence developed by DRI and Gujarat ATS examined a container at the Kolkata Port. “The said container from Jebel Ali, Dubai, having a gross weight of 9,300 kg was declared to contain heavy melting scrap. Bill of Entry was not filed for this container, and the goods were found to be metallic scrap and machine parts like Gear Boxes,” the Ministry of Finance said.
Explaining the unique modus operandi to conceal narcotics, the ministry said, “The gears from the old and used gearboxes were removed after opening them, and the plastic packets containing the narcotic substances were placed in the created cavity, and the gearboxes were then refitted to avoid detection.”
To make it go completely unnoticed, these packets were shipped concealed inside the metal scrap along with other metal scraps.
Meanwhile, at Gandhinagar, Director General of Gujarat Police Ashish Bhatia said that out of 36 gearboxes found in the metal scrap, 12 had markings in white ink. He added that 72 packets of white powder were found when these gearboxes were opened.
“A forensic analysis confirmed that the packets contained 39.5 kg of heroin worth Rs 197.82 crore in the international market. The probe is still on as officials have decided to open the remaining gearboxes as well. A primary probe has revealed the container was meant to be re-exported to some other country from Kolkata,” Bhatia added.