Kochi: A major crackdown on narcotic syndicates is on in India as proved by a series of major drug hauls of late. The recent drug bust by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) off the Kochi coast is the 10th major one since a network of leading intelligence agencies in the country came into existence six months ago in a bid to curb narcotics smuggling from across international borders.

It has been decided to form a special intelligence wing based in Kochi to strengthen the NCB’s activities in southern India. Ten officers, who have been trained in foreign countries, would be appointed for the unit in Kochi. They would also get the cooperation of the Naval Intelligence wing. The NCB has chalked out an operation to check drug smuggling through the coasts of Kerala.

The Central NCB has the responsibility for the prosecution proceedings. The Indian Navy and the Coast Guard will help in preventing drug smuggling by sea and the Border Security Force would aid in checking drug smuggling across land borders.

Recent catch off Kochi

A few days ago 200 kilograms of contraband worth Rs 1,200 crore was seized by the NCB officers from an Iranian dhow.

NCB Deputy Director General Sanjay Kumar Singh who had reached Kochi, Chennai Regional Director P Aravindan and Navy Lieutenant Commander P S Sajin, assessed the progress in investigations.

As per the preliminary assessment, the dragon and scorpion markings on the 200 drug packets seized from the Iranian boat are misleading.

Scorpion and dragon are known to be the drug brands manufactured and distributed by Mexican drug gangs. The drug syndicate likely wanted to dupe buyers by pushing the consignment as originating from Latin America in a bid to extract more money.

The seven layered plastic covers — used by the Latin American gangs for ‘safe’ smuggling of the drugs by the sea — may have been brought to Afghanistan and the drugs locally manufactured could have been packed in these packets.

Six Iranians remanded

Six Iranians arrested during the bust have been remanded by the Magistrate Court in Kochi. The NCB has charged them with sections under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

The accused would be brought into custody for a detailed interrogation. The culprits have confirmed that the Haji Salim network in Pakistan is behind the drug smuggling.

Navy heightens vigil

Kochi: The Navy has warned that any illegal activities, including drug smuggling, will not be allowed along the coasts of the nation. The Navy’s caution is in the context of the drug haul off the Kochi coast in a joint operation with the NCB.

The force would heighten vigil and give special attention as the drugs are being smuggled to the other allied countries sharing the Indian Ocean, along the Indian coast. The chains of drug smuggling would be broken to prevent terrorist and related activities too.

The Indian Navy is bound to help in successfully carrying out joint drug bust operations by the forces and the Enforcement agencies, the Navy authorities clarified.