NCB seizes 140 kg drugs from container at Mundra port

The Gujarat coast has once again come under the spotlight over drug smuggling after the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) seized 140 kg of suspected narcotic substances from a container at Mundra Port in a covert operation.

The seized consignment is estimated to be worth crores of rupees in the international market, prompting heightened alert among security agencies.

According to sources, officials from the Ahmedabad unit of the NCB carried out the operation discreetly and reportedly travelled to Mundra in an autorickshaw to avoid attracting suspicion.

With assistance from the Special Intelligence and Investigation Branch (SIIB) of Customs, the agency identified a specific container and shifted it to the Transworld Container Freight Station area for inspection.

During the search, officials allegedly discovered 140 kg of drugs concealed inside the container.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the importer had declared the consignment as “wool” in official documents in an apparent attempt to smuggle narcotics under the cover of a legitimate import shipment.

The importer linked to the consignment was identified as a local businessman from Mundra and has been taken into custody by the NCB. The container was opened in the presence of the accused, following which further legal procedures were initiated.

Officials have not yet confirmed the exact nature of the seized substance or whether it includes MD drugs or other narcotics.

Investigating agencies are now trying to trace the country of origin of the consignment and uncover the wider network involved in the smuggling operation.

Further investigation is under way.