Date: 2025-08-26Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials seizes nearly 9 kg cocaine, hashish and MDMA worth around Rs. 40 crore in Delhi under Operation “Rainbow”
**Summary:**
On August 26, 2025, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Ministry of Finance, conducted Operation Rainbow in Delhi, resulting in the seizure of approximately 9 kg of narcotic substances, including 3095.5 grams of Cocaine, 4421 grams of Hashish, 1305.5 grams of MDMA (in tablet form), and 46 grams of Amphetamine. The estimated international illicit market value of the seized drugs is approximately Rs. 40 Crore. The operation was initiated based on intelligence regarding the smuggling of narcotics, particularly cocaine, concealed within soft toys and trafficked via domestic courier networks. Coordinated search operations were executed at multiple premises in Mehrauli, New Delhi. The seized drugs were found in tablet form and small pouches, indicating readiness for distribution. One individual has been apprehended under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Preliminary investigations suggest the involvement of an international syndicate operating through foreign nationals residing in Delhi, utilizing courier networks for concealment, trafficking, and distribution. Investigations are ongoing. This operation underscores DRI's ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking within 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.
Operation Rainbow: A specific operation conducted by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) targeting drug trafficking.
Delhi: A city and union territory of India, where the drug seizure operation took place.
Cocaine: A narcotic substance seized during Operation Rainbow.
Hashish: A narcotic substance seized during Operation Rainbow.
MDMA: A narcotic substance seized during Operation Rainbow.
NDPS Act, 1985: The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, an Indian law that prohibits the production, sale, purchase, possession, or use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
Mehrauli, New Delhi: A locality in Delhi where search operations related to Operation Rainbow were conducted.
Ministry of Finance
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials
seizes nearly 9 kg cocaine, hashish and MDMA
worth around Rs. 40 crore in Delhi under Operation
“Rainbow”
Posted On: 26 AUG 2025 8:43PM by PIB Delhi
In a major strike against drug trafficking and distribution syndicates, the officers of the Directorate of
Revenue Intelligence (DRI) have seized a significant quantity of narcotic substances under
Operation codenamed “Rainbow”.
A specific intelligence on the modus of smuggling of narcotics viz cocaine, in small quantities, concealed in
soft toys and smuggled using domestic courier networks, was further developed by the officers of DRI, New
Delhi. The intelligence resulted in co-ordinated search operations at multiple premises located in Mehrauli,
New Delhi. The operation led to the recovery of 3095.5 grams of Cocaine, 4421 grams of Hashish, 1305.5
grams of MDMA in tablets form and 46 grams of Amphetamine.
The seized drugs amounting to nearly 9 kg of narcotic drugs are valued at approximately Rs. 40 Crore in the
international illicit market. A significant quantity of the seized drugs were found in the form of tablets/small
pouches ready for distribution.
The operation included identifying and executing specific searches in a densely populated and highly
congested locality of Delhi. So far, during the operation, one individual has been apprehended under theprovisions of the NDPS Act, 1985. Initial investigation indicates the role of an international syndicate
operating through foreign nationals residing in Delhi, using courier networks for concealment, trafficking and
distribution of narcotics.
Further investigations are in progress. The operation once again highlights the commitment of DRI in
combating the menace of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in the country.
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NB/KMN
(Release ID: 2161038)