The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 207 kg of drugs valued at Rs 1,476 crore in Mumbai concealed in cartons of imported oranges.

Acting on intelligence inputs, the DRI mounted a vigil and on 30th Sept intercepted a truck in Vashi, carrying Valencia oranges imported from South Africa.  After being cleared from the Customs area, the oranges were moved to a cold storage in Vashi.

DRI’s Mumbai team searched the truck on October 1 and recovered 198 kg of high purity crystal methamphetamine (ice) and 9 kg high purity cocaine the total value of the drugs is Rs. 1,476 crores. This is one of the biggest drug seizures in the country.

The modus operandi appears to have been adopted as perishable goods normally get easier clearances and are not stopped on the way.

The importer of the goods has been caught and is being interrogated. Further search operations are on to crack the wider network of the drug smuggling racket.