Officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence seized approximately 10 tonnes of poppy seeds that had arrived at V.O.C. Port from Malaysia. According to sources, DRI officials apprehended a few suspects based on specific intelligence and checked a container carrying white cement based on their confession. Poppy seed bags were discovered hidden between cement bags.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the poppy seeds were worth approximately 1.75 crore. As reported by a senior official, they questioned a shipping agent in Thoothukudi and individuals in a Madurai office as the poppy seeds were about to be smuggled to a few destinations in south Tamil Nadu and other places by road.
He added that a team of officials had been dispatched to Madurai for further investigation. Another official stated that 25-tonnes of poppy seeds arrived from Afghanistan and were seized at the port in a similar manner last year. Though poppy seeds are not illegal in India, there are some restrictions on how they are handled. An importer or grower must obtain permission from the relevant authorities.
