Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) unearthed a novel modus operandi of heroin being smuggled into India from Pakistan, hidden in Afghan brooms through the land check post on the Wagah-Attari border in Amritsar, according to a finance ministry statement issued today.

Based on specific intelligence developed and further profiling by DRI officers, a consignment of brooms was intercepted which on examination was found to have 5.48 kg of heroin concealed in them.  The seized heroin is valued at Rs 38.36 crore in the international market, the statement said.

In the consignment of 4,000 pieces of brooms in 40 bags, the heroin was stealthily filled in 442 hollow short sticks of river bamboo in 3 bags, with the ends of such sticks artificially sealed. These sticks were further concealed inside “Afghan Brooms” which were tied up with iron wire on the outside.

The cargo consignment of “Afghan Brooms” from Afghanistan was imported by an Afghan National with fake Indian IDs in connivance with his Indian national wife. The said Afghan national was out on bail granted in an earlier NDPS case booked by Delhi Police in 2018. Both the Afghan National and his wife were arrested under NDPS Act, 1985.  Further, follow up action and investigations to unearth the entire conspiracy and smuggling module and to gather evidence are being conducted, the statement added