In a massive haul of drugs, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and the Customs on Monday seized 191 kgs of drugs worth around ₹ 1,000 crores at Nhava Sheva port of Navi Mumbai.
A major international drug cartel was busted while a consignment from Afganisthan under the name of Mulethi, a traditional herb which is extensively used in several traditional ayurvedic formulations was seized.
According to the reports, the contraband was smuggled to India from Afghanistan via Iran. The smugglers had concealed the small packets of the drug in plastic pipes and painted them green to look like bamboo. Officials claimed that the heroin seized is on high quality with a market value of around ₹5 crores for each kg.
It was learnt that the smugglers have taken a cue of increased demand of Mulethi, an Ayurvedic formulation used to treat respiratory problems, obesity, skin infection, liver disorders, gastric problem, hormonal regulation, etc.
“The cartel was using this opportunity to smuggle in heroin through cargo of Mulethi. The cartel may have links with narcotic rackets in Afghanistan,” said a source from DRI.
The two accused have been booked under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Further investigation would be carried out by the Mumbai DRI officials.
