Rs. 200 Crore worth Cocaine seized in Paradip, dog squad continues search
Based on intelligence that few suspected packets of cocaine seized in paradip are being examined. Dog squad has been called to probe further.
Paradip: Based on intelligence that few suspected packets of cocaine seized in paradip are being examined. Dog squad has been called to probe further. Further rummaging and searching of the ship with the help of sniffer dogs is being done.
According to the official release, the cocaine seized in Paradip was found concealed in a Panama registered ship, namely, MV Debi berthed at Paradip International Cargo Terminal in the Paradip port.
The ship had arrived from Gresik port, Indonesia in ballast, the Customs officers of the Bhubaneswar Customs (preventive) Commissionerate searched the ship midnight of November 30, said reliable reports.
During the search, a total number of 22 packets (wrapped and affixed with magnet) were recovered from the cranes of the ship containing a hardened but brittle white substance suspected to be narcotic drugs.
Initial testing by the Special Intelligence and Investigation (SIIB) team of the Bhubaneswar Customs (Preventive) Commissionerate revealed that the substance is possibly Cocaine, a narcotic drug under the NDPS Act 1985.
A total of 22 kg of such drugs valued at around Rs. 220 cr in the international grey market was recovered. All the crew members working onboard the ship are from Vietnam. The ship is registered in Panama and is operated by the Asia Pacific Shipping Co. Ltd.
The suspected ship is having its last port of call from Gresik Port, Indonesia and destined to Denmark. The suspected cocaine samples are to be sent to govt laboratory to ascertain the exact nature and chemical composition of the goods.
Ms Kalinga