PARADIP: Customs officers from the Bhubaneswar Customs (Preventive) Commissionerate executed a midnight search on the Panama registered ship MV Debi at Paradip International Cargo Terminal. The intelligence report indicated the possible presence of narcotics drugs concealed on board the vessel, which had recently arrived from Gresik port, Indonesia, in ballast.
The search, conducted on the nights of November 30 and December 1, 2023, yielded startling results. Customs officers discovered 22 packets strategically concealed on the cranes of the ship.
These packets, wrapped and affixed with magnets, contained a hardened but brittle white substance suspected to be narcotic drugs. Preliminary testing by the Special Intelligence and Investigation (SIIB) team of the Bhubaneswar Customs (Preventive) Commissionerate strongly suggested that the substance is likely cocaine, falling under the purview of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of 1985.
The seized narcotics, weighing a total of 22 kilograms, hold an estimated value of approximately Rs. 220 crores in the international grey market. This substantial find raises concerns about the illicit drug trade and its potential impact on global markets.
The crew members aboard MV Debi, hailing from Vietnam, are currently under scrutiny as investigations intensify. The ship, operated by Asia Pacific Shipping Co. Ltd. and registered in Panama, is traced back to its last port of call at Gresik Port, Indonesia, with its intended destination marked as Denmark.
While initial testing strongly suggests the presence of cocaine, the suspected samples are set to undergo further analysis at government laboratories to ascertain the exact nature and chemical composition of the seized goods. This meticulous examination is crucial for legal proceedings and to ensure accurate information about the illicit substances.
In the ongoing operation, customs authorities are employing sniffer dogs to conduct thorough rummaging and searching of the ship. This additional measure aims to uncover any concealed narcotics that may have eluded the initial search.
