AP tops in drug smuggling: Centre’s report!

The ‘Smuggling in India Report 2021-22’ showed the state of Andhra Pradesh on top slot. 18,267.84 kilos of drugs have been seized by the authorities for the corresponding year. This report was unveiled by the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on the occasion of 65th Founding Day of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).

The seized drugs include 1057 kilos of Marijuana (Ganja). Besides this, 165 tonnes of Red Sandalwood worth Rs 97 crore was also seized by the authorities. However these figures are as per the Central agencies while the state government has its own share of seizure and figures. 90 people were arrested from AP in connection with drug smuggling.

North-East region state, Tripura is the next after Andhra Pradesh while in Telangana, the smuggling is also rampant, stated the report. 1012.04 kilos of drugs were seized from Telangana state.

But what’s alarming is, the smuggling has touched new heights. In 2021-22, seizures of cocaine increased 3,479 percent from 8.667 kilos to 310.21 kilos while methamphetamine and heroin, the seizure increased by 1,281 percent and 1,588 percent to 884.69 kilos and 3,410.71 kilos respectively, cited the report.

For the year 2021-22, the Customs department has seized Rs 17,394 crore worth of drugs and DRI has seized Rs 20,064 crore worth drugs, Rs 1,324 crore worth gold and foreign currency.

Seeing AP topping drug smuggling charts, a TRS supporter trolled YSRTP chief Sharmila who accused Telangana CM KCR of turning Hyderabad into a drugs hub.