The tiny village, Gopavaram, was shocked after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) sleuths raided a marine export unit in the Gopavaram hamlet, recently. On a tip-off, that some sedatives were being transported from the export company, the DRI had carried out their operation and took up investigation.
The Krishna District and Vijayawada Commissionerate police, who were shocked with the DRI raids, have been checking the aqua export companies and their consignments.
Speaking to The Hindu on Friday, Kaikalur Circle Inspector K.A. Swamy said that a vigil has been kept on 20 aqua export companies located in and around Kaikalur. Information network has been activated at railway station and at the check posts to maintain a vigil on strangers visiting the area, said Sub-Inspector K. Ashok Kumar. “The companies were exporting marine products to other States, but there was no import trade here. After the intelligence raids, we collected the details of the export companies, owners, vehicles used for transportation, product being loaded, destination and other information in the area,” said the CI.
Intelligence authorities from Hyderabad and Chennai searched the premises of ice-packing units for about 12 hours on August 29. The DRI officials questioned the workers and verified the records. On information, that a drug racket was being operated to different States from Gopavaram village, on the pretext of exporting aqua products, the DRI sleuths tracked the mobile phones and raided the unit.
It was alleged that drugs were being transported to West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and other States, by hiding the contraband under the fish boxes and ice packed lorries.
