Crime
Coast Guard & DRI Seize Rs 32.95 Crore Worth of Narcotics Bound for Maldives
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) intercepted a vessel attempting to smuggle narcotics from Tuticorin to the Maldives. The agencies seized 30 kg of hashish oil, valued at Rs 33 crore, and apprehended multiple individuals involved in the operation.
According to official sources, the DRI received intelligence that a tugboat named Shwe Lin Yone, towing a barge, was carrying contraband and had departed from Tuticorin Port on March 4, en route to Malé, Maldives. Acting on this tip-off, the DRI alerted the Indian Coast Guard on March 5, requesting them to intercept the vessel before it could leave Indian waters. Responding swiftly, the ICG deployed two ships to intercept the suspected vessel south of the Gulf of Mannar on the same day. Upon interception, Coast Guard personnel boarded the tugboat and took the crew into custody. After initial coordination between the two agencies, the DRI requested that the vessel be escorted back to Tuticorin for a thorough investigation.
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Over the course of 40 hours, the Indian Coast Guard ships escorted the detained vessels safely back to the Tuticorin harbour. On Friday, the nine-member crew aboard the tugboat was officially handed over to the DRI for further questioning. Additionally, two more individuals from Tuticorin, suspected to be key accomplices in the smuggling attempt, were also apprehended.
The DRI has launched a deeper probe into the smuggling network, suspecting broader international links. The operation highlights the close coordination between India’s security agencies in combating maritime smuggling and safeguarding the nation’s borders.