A staggering seizure of cocaine, valued at a staggering ₹220 crore, has rocked the Paradip Port in Odisha as authorities intercepted 22 kilograms of the illicit substance concealed aboard an Indonesian cargo vessel. The vessel, identified as the MV Debi, had docked at the Paradip International Cargo Terminal en route to Denmark to load steel plates.
A coalition of law enforcement units including the Odisha Police, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and Customs personnel orchestrated the seizure after a vigilant crane operator on the MV Debi alerted authorities to suspicious packets on board. Swift action ensued as a dog squad was dispatched to investigate, culminating in a thorough raid that led to the discovery of the concealed narcotics.
Madhab Chandra Mishra, the commissioner of customs in Bhubaneswar, shed light on the operation, stating, “At first, the packets looked like an explosive device. But after they scanned the packets, it was revealed that it was drugs concealed in small rectangular packets. We did a preliminary narcotics test, which confirmed the contents to be cocaine. We seized the packets and have sent the sample for further testing in a government laboratory.”
The gravity of the situation amplifies when considering the international market value of cocaine, estimated at ₹10 crore per kilogram. Mishra emphasized the ongoing investigation, hinting at interrogations of the vessel’s crew members and the likelihood of additional arrests as authorities delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding the contraband.
This colossal drug seizure has highlighted the vigilant efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies in thwarting illegal activities at ports, underlining the significance of continued diligence in combating transnational drug trafficking.
As the investigation progresses, the eyes of the nation remain fixed on Paradip Port, where the shadowy trade of narcotics has been disrupted, yet questions persist regarding the origins, intended destination, and network behind this audacious attempt to smuggle cocaine worth hundreds of crores.
Sources By Agencies
