20 February,2024 09:20 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Representational Pic/File
The Delhi Police on Tuesday destroyed contraband worth Rs 1,600 crore in a drive under its 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan', an anti-drug drive.
The contraband was destroyed in the presence of Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, officials said, reported the PTI.
"Today in the presence of Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, 10631.745 kg of illegal drugs worth about Rs 1,600 crores (sic) in the international market were destroyed as per procedure at the incinerator located at SSI Industrial Area, GT Karnal Road, Near Jahangirpuri, Delhi," Additional Commissioner of Police Sanjay Bhatia said, as per the PTI.
According to a Union finance ministry notification and the order of the Supreme Court, various committees were formed by the Delhi Police to destroy illegal drugs recovered from the drug smugglers.
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The destroyed contraband came from seizures in drug cases from 2009 to 2023.
"Ganja, heroin, charas, cocaine, doda post and psychotropic substances were prominent among the illegal drugs destroyed. In the future also, the process of destroying illegal drugs will continue to be done in this manner," Bhatia said.
Saxena hailed the destruction of narcotics, calling the move a step towards a drugs-free India.
"Set in motion the destruction of over 10 tonnes of drugs and contrabands (sic) worth Rs 1600 crore, seized by Delhi Police in the National Capital between 2009 and 2023," he said in a post on X.
"This marks a big stride towards making a 'Nasha Mukt Bharat,' as envisioned by PM Narendra Modi. This is the third tranche of drugs being destroyed in Delhi in just 14 months. Previously, 2888 KG in Dec 2022 and 15,700 KG tonnes in June 2023," he added.
Meanwhile, earlier this month, the officers of Mumbai Customs, Zone-III oversaw the destruction of nearly 14 metric tonnes of illicit substances through incineration at a waste disposal facility in Taloja, near Mumbai.
"The confiscated contraband included 13,860 kilograms of liquorice roots infused with heroin, as well as 86.5 kilograms of Hydroponic Weed, a high-value variant of Ganja, valued at a staggering Rs 38.92 Crore. The seizure of these substances was the result of meticulous intelligence work and swift action by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), MZU. The liquorice roots, purportedly soaked in heroin solution, were ingeniously imported under the guise of edible items to evade suspicion", said a customs official.
(with PTI inputs)
