No arrests made in cocaine seizure case

Mumbai, June 4 (UNI) The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) today said no arrests have been made so far in connection with Asia's largest seizure of 200 kg cocaine worth Rs 80 crore yesterday.

Addressing a press conference here, NCB Director General K C Verma revealed that some persons were being questioned.

This is not an usual transaction. It has greater ramifications.

Efforts are afoot to ascertain where the ship was heading or whether it was really meant for Mumbai.

''Those being questioned are Indian nationals and not members of the crew,'' he added and refused to divulge the names of the consigner and the consignee. The suspect containers were on board MV Voyager, a cargo vessel of Maersk line.

He refused to divulge any details on the nature of questioning, whether the underworld or international drug mafia was involved.

''It is too premature to state anything. Investigations have just begun,'' he said.

Mr Verma said the seizure of the high-grade contraband was a result of a tip-off about three weeks ago that a large consignment either meant for Mumbai or to be transmitted through Mumbai has been loaded in South American country of Ecuador.

He said last month, 132 kg cocaine was recovered in China which was the highest single seizure in Asia.

The international street value of yesterday's seizure could be as much as Rs 500 crore, he added. The consignment was seized under the provisions of the Narcotics Drugs Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

On June 2, when the ship entered Indian waters at JNPT, the 13 suspect containers were segregated with the help of x-ray machines and found eight gunny bags containing cocaine apart from the declared cargo of wooden logs.

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) closely monitored the progress of the suspect containers as they moved from South America to South East Asia and then to Mumbai. The ship was impounded when it entered Indian waters and taken to JNPT.

He said the Coast Gaurd, custom officials of JNPT and Navi Mumbai police coordinated with the NCB in this operation.

Replying to questions, Mr Verma said use of cocaine in India was miniscule. Last year, cocaine recovery in Mumbai was less than a kilogram. Giving nationwide statistics, Mr Verma said in 2002, two kg of cocaine was seized, three kg in 2003, six kg in 2004 and three kg in 2005.

The Drug enforcement system was widespread, Mr Verma explained.

''There is substantial abuse of cannabis, opium, heroin in India, There is also transit of South West Asian origin Heroin. But, we are substantially well placed as compared to other countries,'' he added.

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