Date: 2025-09-13Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) cracks down on a major drug trafficking racket in Kolkata, seizes narcotics worth around Rs. 26 crore, and arrests 10 persons including the mastermind
**Policy Summary:**
On September 12, 2025, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Kolkata Zonal Unit, conducted a multi-pronged operation targeting a major drug trafficking network in Kolkata. The operation resulted in the seizure of approximately Rs. 26 crore worth of narcotics and the arrest of 10 Indian nationals, including the mastermind, carriers, distributors, and middlemen.
Simultaneous searches were conducted at three locations: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport and two residential premises in Bijoygarh, Jadavpur. The searches led to the recovery of 32.466 Kgs of Cannabis (Ganja), 22.027 Kgs of Hydroponic weed, and 345 grams of Cocaine, along with cash proceeds from the sale of narcotics. At NSCBI Airport, four carriers arriving from Bangkok were intercepted with narcotics in their possession. The arrested individuals have been produced before the courts under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Further investigations are ongoing to dismantle the broader network involved in drug trafficking. This operation highlights the DRI's commitment to combating drug trafficking in the country.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence: An Indian intelligence agency under the Ministry of Finance responsible for combating smuggling and tax evasion.
Kolkata, West Bengal: City in West Bengal, India; location of drug trafficking racket and operation by DRI.
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985: Indian legislation that prohibits the production, manufacture, possession, sale, purchase, transportation, storage, consumption, or financing of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
NSCBI Airport: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, also known as Dumdum Airport, located in Kolkata. It was a location of operation by DRI.
Bangkok: City from where drug carriers were arriving.
Cannabis: A narcotic substance that was seized during the operation.
Cocaine: A narcotic substance that was seized during the operation.
Hydroponic Weed: A narcotic substance that was seized during the operation.
Ministry of Finance
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) cracks
down on a major drug trafficking racket in Kolkata,
seizes narcotics worth around Rs. 26 crore, and
arrests 10 persons including the mastermind
Posted On: 13 SEP 2025 7:15PM by PIB Delhi
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Kolkata Zonal Unit, in its fight against illegal drug
th
trafficking conducted a multi-pronged operation on 12 September, 2025. In the early hours of the
day, the officers of DRI conducted searches simultaneously at 3 different locations – one in NSCBI
Airport, and two residential premises in Bijoygarh locality of Jadavpur.
In the residential location, belonging to the mastermind, Hydroponic Weed, Cannabis and Cocaine of
substantial quantity was found. In the second residential location, that was rented and operated by the
mastermind, huge quantity of Cannabis was found in a ‘packed and ready-to-distribute’ manner. Four
associates of the mastermind, who were employed for the purpose of sale and local distribution of
such narcotics in Kolkata were apprehended at this location. The officials also seized cash in the said
locations, which was the proceeds of sale of narcotic substances. On the same day, another member of
the syndicate, who is involved in arranging suppliers abroad was also apprehended.
Simultaneously, in a different operation conducted at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International
(NSCBI) Airport in Dumdum, 4 carriers (including three women) belonging to the said syndicate,
arriving from Bangkok were intercepted. From their possession as well, substantial quantity of
narcotic substances was recovered.
Collectively, 32.466 Kgs of Cannabis (Ganja), 22.027 Kgs of Hydroponic weed, 345 grams of
Cocaine, along with cash have been seized. Ten individuals (all Indian nationals) including themastermind, carriers coming from abroad, retail distributors and middlemen have been arrested and
produced before the courts for judicial remand. All seizures and arrests have been done under the
relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Further
investigations are underway.
The operation once again highlights the commitment of DRI in dismantling the broader network
involved in drug trafficking in the country.
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NB/KMN
(Release ID: 2166355)