MUMBAI: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has uncovered drug smuggling hidden in fruit boxes. Under that, drugs worth Rs. 502 crores have been seized.
The DRI Mumbai Zonal Unit had received intelligence in this regard. Accordingly, a container carrying green apples and pears imported from South Africa was intercepted at Nhava-Shewa port. Upon inspection, a large number of paper bags were found under the fruit. Upon further investigation, it was revealed to be cocaine. The cocaine, weighing approximately one kilogram each, was hidden in boxes of green apples. The total market value of 50.23 kg of drugs is Rs 502 crore. A total of 50 such packets have been seized. This is the largest cache of cocaine that has been attempted and seized in a seaborne container in recent times.
Last week, DRI intercepted an orange truck in Vashi and seized 198 kg of methamphetamine and 9 kg of cocaine worth Rs 1,476 crore from it. These fruits are imported by Yummitto International Foods India Pvt. in Kerala. Ltd. It was found that this company did. After that, the DRI team arrested the managing director of this company Vigin Varghese on October 2. Subsequently, in the operation conducted at Nhava-Shewa port on Thursday, it has been found that the same company has also imported fruits such as apples and pears.