New Delhi. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized more than 845 kg of narcotic substances in intelligence-led operations conducted across several parts of the country as part of an intensified crackdown on drug trafficking. The seizures included ganja, charas, high-grade cannabis, cocaine and amphetamine, among other narcotic and psychotropic substances. A total of 15 people have been arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, in connection with the operations.
According to the DRI, on September 20, officers acted on specific intelligence regarding the smuggling of charas and hashish from Nepal and intercepted two female passengers travelling on the Jan Nayak Express at Gorakhpur railway station. A search led to the recovery of around 6 kg of charas and hashish. The women allegedly concealed the contraband in knee supports wrapped around their thighs and kept it underneath their sarees. The narcotic substances were seized and both passengers were arrested under the NDPS Act.
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As part of the same crackdown, the DRI seized around 801 kg of ganja in two separate operations. On September 17, officers intercepted a container truck near Jindapur Toll Plaza in Bodh Gaya based on intelligence inputs. A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of approximately 752.3 kg of ganja. The contraband had been packed into 737 packets and concealed beneath rice husk. The ganja, vehicle and rice husk were seized, and the truck driver was arrested.
On September 11, the DRI, in coordination with the Ghariyaband Forest Department, intercepted two persons at Mentri village in Odisha. The two were allegedly travelling to deliver narcotic substances. A search resulted in the recovery of around 48.5 kg of ganja packed in 25 packets and stored in three sacks. The scooter allegedly used for transporting the contraband was also seized, and both persons were arrested.
Acting on intelligence shared by the DRI, Customs authorities at the international airports in Mumbai and Bengaluru also seized approximately 28 kg of high-grade cannabis and hydroponic weed from four passengers arriving from Thailand and Vietnam. The contraband was seized under the provisions of the NDPS Act, and all four passengers were arrested.
In another major operation at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi on September 15, DRI officers intercepted an Indian passenger arriving from Dubai via Doha. A detailed examination of his checked-in baggage resulted in the recovery of around 5.8 kg of white-coloured powder packed in nine packets. Field testing confirmed the substance as cocaine. The contraband was seized and the passenger was arrested under the NDPS Act.
The DRI also conducted three separate operations against the smuggling of amphetamine. Together, these operations resulted in the seizure of approximately 4.5 kg of amphetamine-type stimulants and the arrest of five people.
On September 16 in Mumbai, an Indian woman travelling from Delhi was intercepted by DRI officers. Around 493 grams of pills were recovered after being concealed inside bottles labelled as baby powder. Testing indicated the presence of amphetamine and ecstasy in the pills. The suspected narcotic substances were seized and the passenger was arrested.
On September 9 at Calicut Airport, approximately 1.9 kg of amphetamine was recovered from the baggage of a passenger. A subsequent operation led to the arrest of the alleged receiver and organiser. An additional 17 grams of amphetamine and ₹3.45 lakh in cash were also recovered from their possession and vehicle.
On the same day in Indore, DRI officers intercepted a passenger travelling by bus from Delhi. A search resulted in the recovery of around 2 kg of amphetamine concealed inside salwar-suit sets. The contraband was seized and the passenger was arrested.
The DRI said the operations reflect its continued focus on disrupting organised drug-trafficking networks and intercepting narcotic consignments at different stages of their movement. The cases also revealed various methods allegedly being used by traffickers to conceal and transport narcotic substances across different routes.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
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