Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Mar 9: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), in collaboration with the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), arrested three individuals and confiscated 29.954 kg of Hashish Oil worth Rs 33 crore from a tug-barge vessel headed for the Maldives, authorities reported on Sunday.

The operation, which was carried out following specific intelligence gathered by DRI officers, identified a tug vessel towing a barge filled with rock boulders that had left Tuticorin Old Port.

According to the statement, the investigation revealed that a criminal syndicate in Tuticorin had covertly loaded large quantities of Hashish Oil onto the barge while it was en route to the Maldives. The operation was facilitated with the help of a crew member aboard the vessel.

On March 5, 2025, based on DRI’s intelligence, the Indian Coast Guard intercepted the vessel mid-sea, off the Kanyakumari coast. The vessel was then escorted back to Tuticorin New Port by March 7, 2025.

Upon the vessel's return, authorities arrested the individual responsible for placing the narcotic on the vessel, along with his accomplice. Additionally, the crew member who had assisted the gang by sharing the vessel’s location was apprehended for further questioning.

A search of the vessel led to the discovery of two bags containing 29 plastic packets labeled with food descriptions. Upon examination, the packets were found to contain a black, paste-like substance. Field tests confirmed that the substance was Hashish Oil.

In total, 29 packets, weighing 29.954 kg, were recovered and seized under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The estimated value of the seized Hashish Oil in the illicit international market is Rs 32.94 crore.

The three individuals were arrested and remanded to judicial custody on March 8, 2025.