DRI and Indian Coast Guard Seize 30 kg of Hashish Oil Worth Rs. 33 Crore in Mid-Sea Operation, Three Arrested.
New Delhi:
In a major operation conducted in the high seas, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), in collaboration with the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), successfully intercepted a tug-barge vessel bound for the Maldives and seized a staggering 30 kg of Hashish Oil, valued at Rs. 33 crore. The operation took place on March 7, 2025, following a detailed intelligence operation that led to the interception of the vessel off the Kanyakumari coast.
The DRI had received specific intelligence regarding the suspicious movement of a tug vessel towing a barge carrying rock boulders, which had set sail from the Tuticorin Old Port. Upon investigation, it was revealed that the vessel had been covertly loaded with large quantities of Hashish Oil while on its voyage to the Maldives. The narcotic substances were reportedly placed on the barge mid-sea by a criminal gang based in Tuticorin, with the assistance of a crew member onboard the vessel.
On March 5, 2025, acting on the DRI’s intelligence, the Indian Coast Guard intercepted the vessel in mid-sea, near the Kanyakumari coast. The vessel was then escorted back to Tuticorin New Port, where it arrived on March 7, 2025. During a thorough search of the barge, authorities discovered two bags containing 29 plastic packets labeled with descriptions of food items. Upon closer inspection, the contents were identified as a black, paste-like liquid, which, when tested, proved to be Hashish Oil.
In total, 29 packets weighing 29.954 kg of the illicit substance were recovered. The value of the seized Hashish Oil is estimated at Rs. 32.94 crore in the international black market. Under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, the drugs were confiscated and a case was registered.
Three individuals, including the mastermind behind the drug shipment and an accomplice, were arrested on March 8, 2025, in connection with the operation. Additionally, a crew member, who allegedly provided the vessel’s location to the criminal gang, was also taken into custody for further questioning.
This successful operation highlights the continued vigilance and collaborative efforts between the DRI and the Indian Coast Guard in tackling the smuggling of illicit drugs, ensuring the safety of India’s seas and preventing the flow of narcotics into international markets.
