In a crackdown on drugs, the Ludhiana Zonal Unit of Directorate Revenue Intelligence (DRI) recovered 187 kg cannabis (ganja) allegedly concealed in the specially created cavities inside two cars, Sunday. In a statement issued Monday, the DRI Ludhiana Zonal Unit said that "acting on specific intelligence that two specific vehicles would be carrying concealed contraband items in violation of the NDPS Act, the officers of DRI intercepted the said cars near the Shambhu Border Toll, GT Road, Patiala." "Rummaging of the said vehicles resulted in recovery of 111 packets (59 from one vehicle, 52 from the other) wrapped with khaki coloured plastic tapes individually, containing cannabis (Ganja). These packets were found secreted in specially made cavities in the floor of the said cars," said the DRI. "Further, five persons travelling and carrying the said contraband in the seized vehicles have been arrested on October 12 (Sunday). The recovered 111 packets containing 187 kgs of Ganja, having value of Rs 56 Lakh approx. in illicit market and the cars used for drug trafficking have been seized. Further investigation is in progress," the statement said. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence is the apex anti-smuggling agency of India, working under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India. It works on detecting and curbing smuggling of contraband, including drug trafficking and illicit international trade in wildlife and environmentally sensitive items, as well as combating commercial frauds related to international trade and evasion of Customs duty.
