Ludhiana, Feb 2: A sophisticated attempt to smuggle opium out of the country was thwarted when the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence intercepted a large haul of narcotics at a Ludhiana courier office. The agency recovered 12.118 kilograms of the drug, which had been divided into 30 distinct packets for international transit.
Acting on precise information, the DRI Zonal Unit focused on seven specific parcels flagged for shipment to North American destinations. The contraband was found buried inside packages of adult diapers and metal utensils, a tactic designed to mislead customs and security screenings.
DRI officials said that the illicit cargo was being moved “under the garb of household and food items” to evade detection. The total street value of the seizure is pegged at over Rs 60 lakh. Investigators are currently examining the booking records to determine the identities of those involved in the logistics of the shipment.
The recovery follows a pattern of recent interceptions where small-scale concealment methods were used for international smuggling. During a previous raid in late 2024, officials found opium packets secured with carbon paper and transparent tape tucked inside a quilt.
“Further investigation is in progress,” a DRI spokesperson noted regarding the current seizure. The department has heightened its vigil on international courier shipments originating from the state to curb the flow of prohibited substances across borders.
