TRICHY: Trichy’s Central Intelligence Unit (CIU) under the customs preventive commissionerate has dismantled a smuggling network involving Hashish and Ganja, seizing contraband bundles valued at Rs 111.05 crore in Pudukottai district.

According to official sources, the illicit substances were uncovered stashed in a shed, suspected to be destined for smuggling operations to Sri Lanka.

Acting on specific intelligence regarding large quantities of narcotics, including Hashish and Ganja, stored in a shed, CIU officers swiftly moved to the area and identified the location. The shed was situated near a prawn farm in the coastal town of Mimisal in Pudukottai district. The CIU team initiated the search during the evening hours on Sunday.

Upon arrival, the officers discovered a locked shed adjacent to a panchayat marriage hall in Mimisal. Despite the absence of individuals in the vicinity, investigations identified the person responsible for the shed.

With the shed secured, officers broke the lock in the presence of impartial witnesses, meticulously scrutinized the premises, and uncovered 48 bags containing suspected Hashish and Ganja. Due to the lack of power supply at the location, the seized items were transported to a nearby Customs office for further examination.

Upon detailed inspection, it was ascertained that the seized bundles contained approximately 100 kilograms of Hashish valued at Rs 110 crores and 876 kilograms of Ganja worth Rs 1.05 crores, as confirmed by official sources.

The CIU promptly seized the narcotics under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS), 1985. Efforts are underway to trace the owner of the contraband and apprehend other individuals involved in the illicit drug trade. The investigation is ongoing, authorities affirmed.