On September 16, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) from the Mundra Port seized heroin from two containers were declared as containing talc powder or “semi-processed talc stones'', originating in Afghanistan and loaded at Iran’s Bandar Abbas port and to be shipped for Vijayawada client. Two containers at Mundra port that were found to be carrying around 3K kg of heroin in the guise of talcum powder that cost 21K crore which is the highest ever amount seized in Indian history. Adani ports has announced that it will not handle cargo from Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan effective from November 15. Adani Group has 13 more minor ports other than Mudra in Gujarat.
Initially, the Adani group gave wild responses on seizure of drugs. The group said it is the duty of police and we don't maintain policing to take care of smuggling at ports. After that Shahrukh Khan's son Aryan Khan was caught in Mumbai by police in a rave party for having 4 grams of drugs along with others. Because of star status, the issue was completely diverted from Mudra drug bust to Aryan Khan. There is an opinion among the people that the Adani issue was intentionally diverted after the Aryan Khan and Lakhimpur Kheri incident. It seems that Adani group's latest statement is because of pressure from social media. Netizens blamed that front-line media gave preference to 4 grams seized drug rather than 3K seized drug.
New policy will be enforced by all terminals operated by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ). This will give an impact to traders by increasing the cost of exports to these three nations. Adani ports do not handle imports from these three nations and no exports will take place from their ports as well. Exporters might approach the government for relaxations. Mundra port is a key port which interlinks with the West in trading exports. A court for Narcotic and Drugs wanted DRI to check whether Adani management benefited from imported heroin that was seized. That made APSEZ think of a countermeasure to avoid any such situation in future.
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