Pramesh S Jain & Thomas (Special correspondent)
The Narcotics Control Bureau officials on Monday busted an international drug syndicate seized 11 kgs of amphetamine worth Rs 1.5 crore concealed in the tarpaulin of the truck heading to Chennai from Manipur and arrested six persons including three Sri Lankan nationals running the racket .
Based on specific intelligence developed by NCB Chennai unit,on early Monday morning intercepted a truck at Chennai-Gumudipundi (National Highway) and caught the driver.
The search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of 11 packets of white crystalline substance to be Amphetamine of one kgs in each packet .
These packets were concealed in tarpaulin which is difficult to detect.It was found along with a big machine in the truck.
Immediate follow up action was taken and multiple teams were deployed simultaneously which resulted in the apprehension of five persons from various locations of Chennai city and Tamilnadu,Amit Ghawate,Zonal Director , NCB, said .
Three out of the six accused are Sri Lankan nationals and three are from different parts of Indian.
The apprehended persons included financer, carrier,middleman,negotiator,vehicle owner, peddler and purchaser of contraband.
All the apprehended were part of same drug trafficking network and were working in multiple states and countries,Mr.Ghawate, said.
Probe revealed that the seized consignment was meant for trafficking to Sri Lanka through Sea route and part of it in other States of India.
The source of contraband is from Moreh in Manipur (located at Indo-Myanmar border).This is a seasoned drug trafficking network and operating for more than seven years.
They have solid foothold in Srilanka and states of Manipur, Tamil Nadu,the investigations found.
There has been a growing trend of involvement of Sri Lankan drug traffickers in the trafficking of Amphetamine Type Stimulants,who are predominantly into Heroin trafficking.
The seizure of 7.93 kg of Methamphetamine in August 2021 by NCB Chennai and the current seizure of Amphetamine involving Sri Lankan and Indian nationals clearly makes it evident that such networks are wide spread and has international ramifications,Mr.Ghawate,added.
