DRI, NCB, Customs Bust 3 Drug Rackets Linked to Telangana - Multi-Route Network Exposed

In a sweeping, multi-agency crackdown centred on Telangana, enforcement agencies have uncovered three major drug smuggling operations across rail, air, and road routes, exposing the scale and sophistication of organised networks with inter-state and international links .

In one case, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 11.4 kilograms of crystal meth (amphetamine) worth ₹11.4 crore at Secunderabad railway station, arresting two women passengers travelling by train. Acting on specific intelligence , officials recovered 10 packets of the drug concealed in trolley bags wrapped in black polythene, layered with decorative paper, and hidden within bedsheets indicating a well-organised inter-state trafficking network . Preliminary findings suggest the consignment was being transported along a Delhi–Bengaluru route , reflecting a pattern increasingly seen in synthetic drug distribution.

In a parallel operation targeting international smuggling, Customs officials at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport intercepted an Indian passenger arriving from Bangkok and seized 6.15 kilograms of hydroponic weed valued at ₹2.15 crore . Acting on intelligence inputs shared by the DRI, officers of the Air Intelligence Unit recovered 16 sealed packets of the narcotic substance from the passenger’s baggage. The accused was arrested and the contraband seized under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, underscoring the continued use of international air routes , particularly from Southeast Asia, for drug inflow into India.

In a third operation, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), in coordination with Telangana Police, seized 200 kilograms of ganja worth around ₹1 crore near Nallur Toll Plaza, close to Chennai, busting an inter-state supply chain . The contraband, concealed within a truck transporting plastic waste, originated from Malkangiri in Odisha and was routed through Andhra Pradesh into Tamil Nadu. Officials said the consignment was intended for distribution among college students and working populations in Coimbatore , highlighting targeted urban demand.

Together, these cases reflect a broader and worrying shift in narcotics trafficking patterns. Agencies are witnessing a surge in synthetic drug movement , increased reliance on fragmented courier networks , and growing use of multi-modal transport systems to evade detection. Traffickers are exploiting railways for inter-state movement, airports for international inflow, and highways for bulk distribution , often using concealment techniques and legitimate cargo to avoid scrutiny. The rising demand, particularly among urban youth, is further fuelling these networks.

Experts and officials emphasise that preventing such incidents requires a multi-layered response . This includes strengthening surveillance infrastructure at railway stations and highways through advanced scanning systems, improving real-time intelligence sharing between agencies like DRI, NCB, Customs, and State Police, and focusing on dismantling the financial and logistical backbone of trafficking networks rather than only targeting couriers. Monitoring digital channels , including encrypted communication platforms, and expanding awareness and rehabilitation programmes are also seen as critical steps.

Officials described the coordinated operations as a significant blow to organised drug syndicates , preventing large quantities of harmful substances from entering circulation. However, they also caution that the evolving nature of trafficking networks demands sustained vigilance, technological upgrades, and stronger inter-agency coordination to effectively curb the spread of narcotics and prevent recurrence of such cases.