Meth in maize? How Indian authorities busted a novel transnational drug trafficking move
DRI foiled a transnational drug smuggling attempt whch involved meth amounted to ₹300 crore from the Nhava Sheva Port in Navi Mumbai
Indian authorities successfully dismantled a novel transnational drug trafficking operation, discovering 56kg of methamphetamine cleverly concealed within a maize export consignment at the Nava Sheva Port. This innovative method involved mixing the drug with an ordinary agricultural commodity to evade detection during international transit. The bust, estimated to be worth ₹300 crore on the street, was part of a consignment bound for Saudi Arabia.
Indian authorities successfully dismantled a novel transnational drug trafficking operation, discovering 56kg of methamphetamine cleverly concealed within a maize export consignment at the Nava Sheva Port. This innovative method involved mixing the drug with an ordinary agricultural commodity to evade detection during international transit. The bust, estimated to be worth ₹300 crore on the street, was part of a consignment bound for Saudi Arabia.
Indian authorities successfully dismantled a novel transnational drug trafficking operation, discovering 56kg of methamphetamine cleverly concealed within a maize export consignment at the Nava Sheva Port. This innovative method involved mixing the drug with an ordinary agricultural commodity to evade detection during international transit. The bust, estimated to be worth ₹300 crore on the street, was part of a consignment bound for Saudi Arabia.
India is the fifth-largest producer of maize (corn) in the world. Some know it as bhutta, others know is as makki atta, and—if the latest news is to be factored in—certain actors know it as the perfect mule commodity to transport drugs. Or so they thought.
In an intelligence-led op led by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), authorities recovered a whopping 56kg of methamphetamine (more commonly known as meth) from an export consignment at the Nhava Sheva Port in Navi Mumbai. The enforcement action happened between August 16 and 17.
The street value of the contraband could go up to ₹300 crore. According to DRI, the meth was "ingeniously mixed with maize in one of the 351 bags contained in this consignment". It was scheduled to head to Saudi Arabia from India.
"Investigation revealed that the transporter/freight forwarder was coordinating with anoverseas buyer for transportation and customs clearance of the export consignment. Based on theirrespective roles in the attempted trafficking, both persons were arrested under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985," read the official statement from the Union Ministry of Finance.
Multiple ground reports have linked the consignment to a Mohammad Hussain Dad, who allegedly Pakistan-based narco-trafficking syndicate.
The DRI is yet to provide a statement regarding the allegations. It however noted: "The method of concealment—mixing a large quantity of Methamphetamine inextricably with maize anddisguising the consignment as an ordinary agricultural commodity—represents a distinctive modus operandi intended to evade routine examination and detection during export."
From taking the usual dubious routes to the "dangerous smuggling rings" popularised by movies, Indian drug authorities might have seen it all. But the fact that the humble corn took up the burden to carry so much drugs points to the fact that even drug traffickers are getting increasingly innovative. But kudos to DRI for finding the maize in the maze.