Vinod Bhat
New Delhi: Pursuant to the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a DRUG FREE INDIA (Nasha Mukt Bharat) and acting upon the directives of the Hon’ble Union Home Minister, the Narcotics Control Bureau has achieved a significant success by affecting the seizure of 77.60 kgs. of Hashish Oil and 2 kgs. of Charas.
In a coordinated multi state operation, officers of the Narcotics Control Bureau, Chennai Zonal Unit in coordination with Hyderabad Zonal Unit successfully dismantled an international narcotics trafficking network operating across Nepal, India and Sri Lanka. The operation resulted in the seizure of 77.60 kgs. of Hashish Oil and 2 kgs. of Charas, along with the recovery of two cars, one motorbike and a fishing boat used for transportation of the contraband. So far, five persons have been arrested so far.
Acting on credible intelligence regarding the movement of narcotic drugs across multiple states, officers of NCB Hyderabad Zonal Unit intercepted a Tata Safari Storme car on 03.03.2026 near Raikal Toll Plaza on the Bengaluru–Hyderabad Highway in Telangana. During the search of the vehicle, 2 kgs. of Charas was recovered concealed in specially fabricated cavities. Two persons, one a Delhi resident, and the other a Uttar Pradesh resident, were apprehended in connection with the transportation of the contraband.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the recovered Charas along with other consignment of about 78 kgs. of Hashish Oil was trafficked into India from Kathmandu, Nepal, through Sonauli Indo-Nepal Border. Consignment of about 78 kgs. of Hashish Oil was already delivered by the arrested persons at Thoothukudi for onward trafficking to Sri Lanka via sea route.
NCB Chennai flung into action on trafficking of Hashish Oil from Tamil nadu to Sri Lanka. Subsequently, the NCB team seized about 78 kgs. of Hashish Oil from the possession of three persons, including a Sri Lankan refugee, taking the total number of arrests in this network to five. Vehicles used for transporting the contraband were also seized. Investigation has revealed that the traffickers had planned to transport the narcotic consignment through the coastal waters off Thoothukudi and deliver it mid sea to a Sri Lankan receiver, using a fishing boat for the maritime transfer.
With the assistance of Indian Coast Guard, NCB intercepted and seized the fishing boat suspected to be used for the planned mid sea transfer near the International Maritime Boundary Line, thereby thwarting the cross border maritime trafficking attempt.
Further probe has identified involvement of a Sri Lankan national, based in Sri Lanka as the final receiver of the seized consignment, who had financed and coordinated the shipment of receovered contraband from Nepal to Sri Lanka.
Further investigation is underway to identify the remaining members of the syndicate, trace financial transactions, and dismantle the broader international network involved in this trafficking operation.
This seizure once again exemplifies the NCB’s steadfast commitment to dismantling inter-state and trans-national drug trafficking networks in furtherance of the vision of a DRUG FREE INDIA.
Since the beginning of this year, NCB Chennai has seized about 973.35 kg of Ganja, 87.64 kg of Hashish Oil, and 1.045 kg of Amphetamine, leading to the arrest of nine individuals. The total estimated value of these seized drugs is approximately Rs. 12.5 Crores. Further, in the legal proceedings related to earlier cases investigated by NCB Chennai, three cases have been successfully prosecuted this year, resulting in the conviction of a total of eight accused persons in all three cases.
Public are encouraged to report any information related to drug trafficking or substance abuse through the MANAS National Narcotics Helpline – 1933, which is available to provide assistance and support.
