Narcotics smuggling from Afghanistan is on the rise with the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) reportedly seizing heroin worth an estimated Rs 2,000 crore that was being passed off as “talcum powder” in shipping containers that arrived at Mundra Port in Gujarat.

While the consignment arrived on a ship from Iran, sources said the heroin had originated in Afghanistan.

The consignment had been declared as talcum powder at the Customs desk. However, acting on intelligence reports, the DRI took a sample of the product and had the powder analysed which confirmed the presence of heroin.

The containers were allegedly imported from Afghanistan to Mundra Port by Ashi Trading Firm that is based at Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh.

Also read:  Rs 4,500 crore worth heroin from Afghanistan smuggled into Mumbai via sea route seized

The exporting firm is registered as Hassan Hussain Ltd and is based in Kandahar, Afghanistan, a senior official confirmed.

Large scale smuggling of heroin from Afghanistan into Mumbai via the sea route from Iran has come to light with two big consignments of the drug valued at a whopping Rs 4,500 crore in the international market being seized by the law enforcement authorities in July this year.

During investigations it has been found that large quantities of heroin concealed in bags and cartons were being smuggled from Afghanistan through Iran's Chabahar port into Mumbai via Jawahar Lal Nehru port.

A senior official said the sea route enables the smuggling of large consignments and after the heat was on in Mumbai, and it appears the smugglers have shifted operations to other seaports.

The Delhi Police had also seized the largest heroin haul ever when they discovered 354 kg of drugs worth more than ₹ 2,500 crore at a house in Faridabad,

Four people have been arrested till now and officials are investigating a narco-terrorism angle as links to Pakistani sources of funding have also emerged in the case.