Directorate of Revenue Intelligence Seizes 137 kg of Crystal Meth, Busted Coastal Drug Network in Tamil Nadu, Arrests Four
Distilled Policy Brief
- The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 137 kg of high-purity crystal methamphetamine worth over Rs. 100 crore from Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu, foiling a maritime drug trafficking attempt to Sri Lanka.
- Four individuals were arrested and remanded to judicial custody under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
- The operation also resulted in the seizure of Rs. 10 lakh in suspected drug proceeds along with two four-wheelers and a two-wheeler used for transporting the contraband.
🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points
Crystal methamphetamine is a synthetic psychotropic substance governed strictly under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, enforced primarily by agencies like the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages
Examine the vulnerability of India's coastal borders to transnational organized crime and maritime drug trafficking, and evaluate the efficacy of enforcement mechanisms in dismantling coastal smuggling networks.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to the recent operations conducted by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) regarding drug trafficking in India, consider the following statements: 1. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence functions under the Ministry of Finance. 2. The penal provisions for offenses related to illicit trafficking of psychotropic substances like methamphetamine are governed by the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- [A] 1 only
- [B] 2 only
- [C] Both 1 and 2
- [D] Neither 1 nor 2
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) is the apex intelligence agency of India under the Ministry of Finance (Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs) that investigates drug smuggling and tax evasion. Offences related to the possession, transport, and trafficking of prohibited synthetic substances like crystal methamphetamine are prosecuted under the statutory provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Therefore, both statements are correct.
🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)
Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.