In a significant anti-smuggling operation, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) recently uncovered a drug consignment worth approximately ₹28 crore that was ingeniously concealed within the internal components of heavy machinery. The contraband was discovered only after a trained mechanic was summoned to disassemble parts of the equipment.
According to sources, intelligence had alerted DRI officers to suspiciously oversized cargo arriving at a customs warehouse. Upon inspection, officials suspected that illicit narcotics were hidden within a gearbox, a storage location nearly impossible to access without technical intervention.
The DRI team brought in a professional mechanic with industry expertise to carefully dismantle the gearbox. As panels were removed, authorities discovered packets of narcotics expertly placed within the apparatus. The total haul is estimated to be worth over ₹28 crore in the illicit drug market.
This method of concealment reflects a growing trend among smugglers using industrial machinery and vehicles to hide contraband. The agency has filed charges under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and formal investigations are underway to trace the syndicate behind the operation.
A senior DRI official commented: &ldquo;These kinds of smuggling modules require precise technical knowledge both to conceal and extract. In this case, we needed a mechanic&rsquo;s skills to access the contraband safely, without damaging evidence.&rdquo;
The case underscores the evolving strategies smugglers adopt and how law enforcement must adapt with specialized technical support to uncover concealed shipments.

DRI Busts ₹28 Cr Drug Racket Hidden in Machine

Contraband concealed in gearbox; mechanic called to extract drugs worth ₹28 crore

DRI Busts ₹28 Cr Drug Racket Hidden in Machine

Contraband concealed in gearbox; mechanic called to extract drugs worth ₹28 crore

July 29, 2025 | 19:46 IST