The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 62 kg heroin valued at a whopping Rs 434 crore in the illicit market that was concealed in a consignment of trolley bags imported at the air cargo complex of Delhi airport, according to an official statement issued today.

This is one of the biggest seizures of heroin till date through air consignments in India.

“In an operation code-named “Black & White” carried out on May 10, the DRI seized 55 kg of heroin from an imported cargo consignment, which was declared to contain “Trolley Bags”.  The cargo originating from Entebbe in Uganda, had arrived at the Air Cargo Complex of Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, New Delhi via Dubai,” the DRI statement explained.

“Swift follow up operations in Punjab and Haryana, led to recovery of yet another 7 kg of heroin and Rs. 50 lakh in cash. The value of the 62 kg seized heroin is estimated at Rs 434 crore in the illicit market,” according to the DRI statement.

While the import consignment had 330 trolley bags, the seized heroin was found to have been ingeniously concealed inside the hollow metal tubes of 126 of these trolley bags.  The concealment was extremely difficult to detect.

DRI officers have apprehended the importer of the consignment. Other suspects are also being interrogated. Further investigations are underway.

Since January 2022, DRI has affected significant seizures of heroin including 34 kg from a container at ICD Tughlaquabad New Delhi, 201 kg from a container at Mundra port and 392 kg of yarn laced with heroin at Pipavav port. In the last three months, multiple cases have also been booked, leading to seizure of more than 60 kg heroin from air passengers.

Also Read: 6kg of gold smuggled from Dubai seized at Mumbai airport.