CBI seizes huge quantity of drugs from shipping container

NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) seized a shipping container suspected to have narcotics mixed within 25,000 kg of inactive dried yeast at Visakhapatnam port.

CBI received an input through Interpol about the alleged presence of drugs and acted on it with assistance from the Customs department in Visakhapatnam under Operation Garuda. An FIR has also been registered against the consignee and other suspects.

"On preliminary examination, through Narcotics Substances detection mechanisms, it appears that the material shipped contains Narcotic drugs mixed with the Inactive Dried Yeast. The whole consignment has been seized and an FIR has been registered against the consignee and unknown others," stated the press release.

The consignment, declared to have 1000 bags of 25 kg inactive dried yeast, was due for delivery at Visakhapatnam from "Santos Port Brazil" in the name of a Visakhapatnam-based private company.

The CBI has alleged the involvement of an "international criminal network engaged in importing narcotics drugs by way of mixing it with other substance commonly known as cutting agents".

The CBI has acted on Interpol information in the past as well and registered cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act) in order to combat the "Drug menace on international policy".