In a new development concerning the drugs container case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has indicated in the First Information Report (FIR) that several officers of the Andhra Pradesh government and port employees congregated at the container port, causing delays in the examination process conducted by a CBI team to uncover suspected narcotic substances. The confiscated shipment originated from Brazil and arrived at the Vizag port, destined for the Sandhya Aqua Exports Company.
Acting on a tip-off from Interpol, the CBI initiated investigations, leading to positive test results on the seized consignment. Following the seizure of 25,000 kilograms of dried yeast suspected to be laced with narcotics, a CBI team conducted a raid on Sandhya Aqua in Moolapeta, situated in the U Kothapalli mandal of Kakinada district, the next day.
During the raid, the CBI scrutinized the prawn feed containing the dried yeast imported in previous consignments to ascertain if any drugs had been camouflaged within the prawn feed. Although the CBI’s official statement to the media on Thursday did not mention any delays in the search due to the presence of Andhra Pradesh officials, the Visakhapatnam police asserted on Friday that the proceedings had been delayed due to technical issues with the videography equipment. They refuted allegations by the CBI suggesting their responsibility for the delay.
The CBI has not disclosed the quantity of narcotic substances mixed with the dry yeast. However, sources suggest that over 500 kilograms of suspected cocaine may be present in the shipment.
