The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched a money-laundering probe into the recent seizure of nearly 3,000 kgs of heroin from two containers at Mundra port in Gujarat by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
The Opposition Congress has raised the issue and demanded a court-monitored probe into the biggest drug haul in the country and also estimated to be one of the largest globally.
The ED is studying the details of the case gathered from the open source and has sought the copy of the complaint filed by the DRI that unraveled the narcotic smuggling bid of the syndicate.
The drugs haul relates to the DRI seizing a staggering 2,988.21 kg Afghan heroin, worth Rs 21,000 crore, from the Mundra port in the Kutch district of Gujarat on September 15.
The seized consignment is estimated to be worth Rs 21,000 crore with the price per kg of the contraband ranging from Rs 5-7 crore.
After the ED joining the probe, the Narcotics Control Bureau, the apex federal anti-drugs agency will also subsequently take up investigation to unravel the larger ramifications of such a large transshipment of drugs being routed from Afghanistan via India to other possible destinations, officials said.
However, the DRI being an empowered agency to enforce the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS), the NCB may not be immediately taking up the case, they said.
After receiving the DRI complaint, the ED will formally register a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to investigate the money laundering behind the syndicate and identify proceeds of crime for possible attachment of such assets.
The consignment was imported by a trading company registered in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, as semi-processed talc stones. The cargo originated from Bandar Abbas port in Iran before landing at Mundra and the contraband is estimated to have been sourced from Afghanistan.
A total of 2988.21 kg of heroin -- 1999.57 kg heroin from one container and 988.64 kg heroin from the second container -- was seized under the provisions of the NDPS (Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act by the DRI.
Searches were later conducted by the DRI in Ahmedabad, Delhi, Chennai, Gandhidham and Mandvi in Gujarat, following which two persons were arrested.
Involvement of some Afghan nationals is also under the scanner of the DRI. The importer firm, identified by official sources as Vijayawada-based Aashi Trading Company, allegedly operated by Chennai couple M Sudhakar and his wife G Durga Purna Vaishali was the importer of the contraband.
The couple was arrested by the DRI from Chennai after the seizures at Mundra and the duo was later brought to Bhuj town in Kutch. The duo is currently undergoing remand of DRI for sustained custodial interrogation following an order of the special court for NDPS cases in Bhuj.
The Congress on Wednesday demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the large drugs haul in Gujarat as also the alleged bribery case involving e-commerce firm Amazon.
“These issues are concerned with the country’s security and those involved in these issues are guilty of sedition and that is why the Prime Minister will have to answer to the nation,” Congress general secretary and chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.
Surjewala’s assertions came after drugs seizure by the DRI from Mundra. Those involved in these cases are “traitors”, he said.
“Should this matter now not be investigated by a special commission of sitting judges of the Supreme Court and a special SIT be put at their disposal,” he said.
He also rejected suggestions of seeking a CBI probe, saying, “How can CBI probe those who are its bosses?” The shocking revelations in the two cases have shaken the conscience of the country, he added.