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Draft:Visakhapatnam Drug Bust Controversy

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  • Comment: could be notable but this is written like a news article PARAKANYAA (talk) 02:35, 13 December 2024 (UTC)

In March 2024, CBI had received a tip from Interpol that, a large-scale drug trafficking ship was heading to Visakhapatnam Port. A sizable cargo of "inactive dried yeast" that was brought in by the local business Sandhya Aqua Exports was intercepted by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The container, which came from Brazil, was identified for holding 25,000 kg of yeast that would be used to make shrimp feed. But after careful examination, it was discovered that a significant amount of the shipment had drugs that were concealed by the yeast, such as cocaine and methaqualone. This finding was a turning point in Operation Garuda, the CBI's global campaign against global narcotics gangs. Despite the preliminary findings, Sandhya Aqua Exports has insisted that it was a lawful shipment and denied any involvement in drug trafficking. Although the corporation has complied with the authorities throughout the inquiry, final forensic findings have not yet been made public. Political groups in Andhra Pradesh have accused one another of involvement in the case, which has garnered a lot of attention and made the inquiry even more difficult. The inquiry was still in progress and the officials currently looking into the possible connections between global smuggling networks and the local feeding company.

Background

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Visakhapatnam Port in Andhra Pradesh is one of the busiest ports in India and a major hub for global trade.[1] The port has been monitored by Indian law enforcement agencies for possible abuse by criminal networks due to its strategic significance and closeness to maritime drug trafficking routes.[2] International drug cartels have been the focus of the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) Operation Garuda, a global initiative.[3] This operation in Visakhapatnam was lead with the help of intelligence inputs from the Interpol team in Germany to stop illicit drug shipments.[4] The CBI began looking into a shipment described as "inactive dried yeast" that was imported by Sandhya Aqua Exports, a private company based in Visakhapatnam, in March 2024 after receiving reliable information.[5]

On March 16, 2024, a shipping container from Santos Port, Brazil, arrived at Visakhapatnam Port after transshipment at Hamburg Port, Germany. The consignee, Sandhya Aqua Exports, declared the cargo as 1,000 bags of inactive dried yeast weighing 25 kg each, totaling 25,000 kg. The yeast was reportedly intended for use as fish feed in shrimp farming.[4]

Acting on a tip-off from Interpol, the CBI identified the consignment as suspicious. Intelligence suggested the involvement of an international criminal network using cutting agents, such as yeast, to mask narcotics. On March 19, a CBI team from the Economic Offenses Department, aided by local customs and port authorities, initiated a thorough inspection of the container. The operation marked a significant move under Operation Garuda, focusing on dismantling transnational drug trafficking networks.[6]

Raid on Visakhapatnam Port

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The raid began on March 19, 2024 and continued for a day. The CBI team discovered the sealed containers when they arrived at the port. Representatives from Sandhya Aqua Exports were present when it was opened, along with authorized staff member RVLN Giridhar.[7][8] The team performed initial testing using a Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) drug detection kit. Narcotics, including cocaine and methaqualone, were detected in 20 bags from 20 pallets in random samples. According to CBI's preliminary report, the inactive dried yeast was combined with narcotics.[9]

Subsequent inspections covered a broader selection of the shipment, with 70% of the bags reportedly testing positive. The container, along with the remaining samples, was sealed and handed over to customs for safekeeping. Samples were sent to the Central forensic laboratory for confirmatory testing.[10] Despite the initial findings, Sandhya Aqua Exports maintained that the consignment was a legitimate order for fish feed, certified by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply in Brazil. The company pledged full cooperation with the investigation.[11]

Company's response and Political reactions

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In response to the accusations after its shipment was seized at Visakhapatnam Port, Sandhya Aqua Exports Ltd. emphasized that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had not verified that there were drugs in the shipment because test results were still pending.The business explained that it had purchased dry yeast for use in the manufacturing of shrimp feed from a reliable Brazilian supplier, and that Sandhya Aqua and the supplier were both assisting the authorities. When a company bus was discovered to contain documents and a hard drive, the company responded that the bus had just broken down and had been given back to them following a police inspection. Sandhya Aqua asked for public restraint until the investigation was finished and denied any involvement in unlawful activity.[12]

The incident has had a huge political impact, with both then opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and then government YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) accusing one another of meddling or involvement in the case. The TDP cited a CBI study alleging that port workers and state authorities were responsible for delays, which they connected to potential YSRCP involvement in the narcotics trade.[13] The YSRCP, however, fueled claims of the opposition party's involvement by pointing to the link between Sandhya Aqua's founder and TDP supporters. Ahead of the general elections, both parties have exploited the tragedy to gain political points by calling for additional research into possible links to drug trafficking.[14]

Aftermath and Investigation

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The investigation into the drugs concealed in the cargo of dried yeast is still ongoing after the container was seized at the port of Visakhapatnam in March 2024.[15] The final forensic test results are still awaiting, however the CBI confirmed the presence of drugs in the shipment based on an Interpol tip. The company that imported the shipment from Brazil, Sandhya Aqua Exports, has denied any knowledge of the pharmaceuticals. It maintains that both the company and the Brazilian supplier are working with the authorities and that the yeast was ordered for its shrimp feed production business.[16] The CBI has questioned the company's leaders and examined bank data, payments, and company documents, even though the company has not been formally charged.[12]

The investigation also uncovered a company bus containing relevant documents, which was later returned after verification.[17] While political speculation has arisen, with some linking Sandhya Aqua to local political figures like Vijay Sai Reddy,[18] the focus of the investigation remains on identifying the individuals involved in the drug smuggling operation. The case continues to unfold, with authorities working to confirm the extent of the narcotics involved and determine any criminal networks behind the smuggling, but after 9 months they have submitted a report to the court stating "No drugs" were present in the container.[19]

References

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  1. ^ "9 Indian ports make it to top 100 of WB performance index". The Times of India. 2024-06-19. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  2. ^ Peri, Usha (2024-11-08). "INTERVIEW | Vizag police crackdown on ganja cultivation, bring it down to zero in Andhra's ASR district". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  3. ^ Pandey, Devesh K. (2022-09-29). "CBI launches 'Operation Garuda'; arrests 175 alleged drug smugglers". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  4. ^ a b Staff, T. N. M. (2024-12-08). "CBI says no drugs in Vizag port shipment, YSRCP questions 8-month delay in clearance". The News Minute. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  5. ^ "Sandhya Aqua Exports Responds After India's CBI Finds Narcotics Disguised As Inactive Dry Yeast". Seafoodnews. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  6. ^ "Goods seized from container at Visakhapatnam Port in Andhra Pradesh test positive for narcotic drugs". The Hindu. 2024-03-22. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  7. ^ Bharat, E. T. V. (2024-03-22). "Cocaine Mixed With 25K kg Dried Yeast at Andhra Port; CBI Accuses Officials of Delaying Proceedings". ETV Bharat News. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  8. ^ "CBI tight-lipped over drug container case". The Times of India. 2024-05-24. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  9. ^ Apparasu, Srinivasa Rao (23 March 2024). "Cocaine found in sealed consignment on ship from Brazil to Vizag sparks political firestorm". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 9 December 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ "Vizag container samples sent to central forensic lab". The Times of India. 2024-03-24. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  11. ^ "Brazil cargo with alleged drugs seizure at Vizag port sparks political slugfest in Andhra". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  12. ^ a b "Sandhya Aqua denies links to drug smuggling after cocaine found in imported shrimp feed ingredients". www.seafoodsource.com. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  13. ^ Rao, G. V. R. Subba (2024-03-22). "YSRCP converted Vizag into 'drugs capital' instead of Executive capital, alleges TDP". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  14. ^ Rao, G. V. R. Subba (2024-03-22). "Family members of TDP, BJP leaders involved in Visakhapatnam drugs case, alleges YSRCP". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  15. ^ "CBI tight-lipped on Vizag drug container seizure case". The Times of India. 2024-05-25. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  16. ^ Basava, Bhaskar (2024-03-24). "Narcotics seizure at Vizag port by CBI fuels political slugfest between TDP and YSRCP". The South First. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  17. ^ "CBI Begins Probe into Drug Haul Case in Vizag". www.deccanchronicle.com. 2024-03-25. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  18. ^ Service, Express News (2024-03-25). "Naidu has links with drug racket, alleges Vijayasai". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  19. ^ "CBI says no drugs found in container at Vizag port". The Times of India. 2024-12-06. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
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