Maharashtra, India, Officials Arrest Fruit Importer Linked to $181M Drug Bust
MAHARASHTRA, INDIA - An illegal attempt to smuggle narcotics through fresh produce has been foiled once more as the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) swooped into action in the Maharashtra state of India. The Excise department officials seized 198 kg (436 lbs) of methamphetamine and 9 kg (19 lbs) of cocaine in a shipment of imported oranges on September 30, later arresting the culprit this past week in a godown, a warehouse common in Eastern Asia and India.
According to The Hindu, DRI sleuths seized the narcotics from a truck carrying imported oranges on September 30 and a Managing Director of the importing company, two days later. The narcotics are worth nearly ₹15 billion (~$181 million USD).
The firm is used to receive imported fruit consignments, mostly from Mumbai, which are then distributed to various parts of Kerala. Excise sleuths have collected information about the consignments dispatched from the godown.
Cheers to those around the world for keeping our fresh produce safe and out of these dastardly deeds.