Chennai: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 137 kg of crystal methamphetamine, estimated to be worth more than ₹100 crore in the illicit drug market, from a coastal village in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu. Four people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in a drug-trafficking network suspected of planning to smuggle the contraband to Sri Lanka.
According to the DRI, the intelligence-led operation was conducted between October 16 and 17, following specific information about a large consignment of narcotics stored at a coastal location for onward smuggling. The agency described the seizure as one of the biggest narcotics recoveries in Tamil Nadu’s coastal region in recent years.
During a search, officers recovered six duffel bags containing 27 silver-foil packets, each weighing approximately 5 kg. The packets contained a white crystalline substance suspected to be high-purity methamphetamine. The contraband was seized under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
Investigators suspect that the consignment was intended to be transported to Sri Lanka through a mid-sea transfer. In a simultaneous search at the premises of the suspected organiser, officers seized ₹10 lakh in cash, suspected to be proceeds from drug sales.
Two four-wheelers and a two-wheeler allegedly used to transport the narcotics were also seized. The DRI said the operation uncovered suspected links involving the organisation, transportation, storage and logistical arrangements for the planned smuggling operation.
The four arrested persons have been remanded to judicial custody under the provisions of the NDPS Act.
The agency said the seizure had disrupted a suspected drug-trafficking network and reiterated its efforts to prevent India’s coastline from being used as a corridor for illicit narcotics trafficking.