DRI Conducts Major Drug Bust, Seizes Over 18 kg of Psychotropic Substances

New Delhi, India Aug 30, 2026 ALN: In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has arrested four individuals and seized over 18 kg of psychotropic substances in two separate operations conducted in Bengaluru and Pune. The total haul includes approximately 14.9 kg of amphetamine seized in Bengaluru and an additional 2.53 kg of amphetamine along with 878 grams of MDMA tablets confiscated in Pune, according to an official report.

The arrests were made under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, a comprehensive law aimed at curbing drug abuse and trafficking in India. This act provides stringent penalties for the production, manufacture, possession, sale, purchase, transport, warehousing, use, consumption, import inter-State, import into India, export inter-State, export from India, import, export, import into India, export from India, import inter-State, export inter-State, export from India, and use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

On August 25, DRI officers, acting on specific intelligence, intercepted a female passenger at KSR Bengaluru Railway Station. She was traveling from New Delhi to Bengaluru and was suspected of carrying a significant quantity of contraband. A thorough examination of her baggage revealed seven packets containing a crystalline substance weighing approximately 14.9 kg. Preliminary tests using a field drug detection kit confirmed the presence of amphetamine, a powerful stimulant that affects the central nervous system.

The psychotropic substance, along with the relevant packing and concealment materials, was seized under the NDPS Act, 1985. Following the initial seizure, DRI officers conducted a swift follow-up operation at the designated delivery location where another individual had arrived to collect the baggage from the carrier. This person was also intercepted, leading to further actions that resulted in the arrest of an additional individual who had come to receive the contraband from the first receiver. In total, all three individuals involved in the transportation and attempted receipt of the contraband were arrested under the NDPS Act, 1985.

In a separate but related operation on the same day, DRI intercepted another Indian woman passenger at Pune Junction station, who was traveling from Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station in Delhi. A detailed examination of her baggage resulted in the recovery of a white/yellow crystalline substance purported to be amphetamine, weighing 2.53 kg, along with tablets purported to be 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), weighing 878 grams (gross). The recovered contraband was seized under the NDPS Act, 1985, and the passenger was arrested.

These recent seizures are indicative of the DRI's intensified efforts to combat synthetic drug trafficking and dismantle networks operating across the country. The DRI has been increasingly vigilant in its operations, particularly in light of the growing prevalence of synthetic drugs, which pose significant risks to public health and safety.

The rise in synthetic drug use, particularly among younger demographics, has raised alarms among health officials and law enforcement agencies alike. Amphetamines and MDMA are known for their psychoactive effects, which can lead to addiction and other serious health issues. The implications of these substances extend beyond individual users, affecting families, communities, and public health systems.

In the past fortnight alone, the DRI has seized approximately 150 kg of Amphetamine Type Stimulant (ATS) drugs in five operations. This includes a staggering 76 kg of methamphetamine tablets seized in two operations along India’s North-Eastern frontier, as well as 55.86 kg of methamphetamine that was cleverly concealed within maize/corn in an export consignment destined for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Such operations highlight the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in intercepting drug trafficking at various points, including domestic transport and international exports.

The DRI's recent actions underscore a broader commitment to tackling drug trafficking in India, particularly as the country grapples with the dual challenges of domestic drug abuse and international drug smuggling. The agency's proactive measures are crucial in not only disrupting drug supply chains but also in raising awareness about the dangers associated with drug use. The fight against drug trafficking is ongoing, and the DRI’s efforts reflect a determined stance to safeguard public health and maintain law and order.

As the DRI continues to enhance its operational capabilities, the implications of these drug busts extend beyond immediate arrests and seizures. They serve as a deterrent to potential traffickers and highlight the importance of collaborative efforts among various law enforcement agencies, both domestically and internationally, in the fight against drug-related crimes.