The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested four accused and seized more than 18 kg of psychotropic substances across two separate intelligence-led operations on 25 August, targeting drug couriers intercepted at railway stations in Bengaluru and Pune, officials said on 30 August. The haul comprised 14.9 kg amphetamine recovered at KSR Bengaluru Railway Station and 2.53 kg amphetamine along with 878 grams of MDMA tablets seized at Pune Junction.

The Bengaluru Operation

In the first operation, DRI officers intercepted an Indian woman passenger at KSR Bengaluru Railway Station who was travelling by train from New Delhi to Bengaluru. A detailed examination of her baggage uncovered seven packets containing a crystalline substance that tested positive for amphetamine on a field drug detection kit, weighing approximately 14.9 kg.

Acting on information gathered during the proceedings, DRI conducted a swift follow-up operation at the intended delivery location. According to the official statement, 'A person who arrived at the spot to receive the baggage from the carrier was intercepted.' A further follow-up led to the interception of a second receiver. In total, three persons — the carrier and two intended recipients — were arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

The Pune Operation

In a separate, unrelated operation on the same date, DRI officers intercepted another Indian woman passenger at Pune Junction, who was travelling by train originating from Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station in Delhi. Examination of her baggage yielded a white and yellow crystalline substance identified as amphetamine weighing 2.53 kg, along with tablets of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) weighing 878 grams (gross weight). The passenger was arrested under the NDPS Act.

Part of a Larger Crackdown

The twin seizures are part of what DRI describes as an intensified drive to interdict synthetic drugs and dismantle trafficking networks operating across India. Notably, within a single fortnight, the agency has now seized approximately 150 kg of Amphetamine Type Stimulant (ATS) class drugs across five operations. This includes 76 kg of methamphetamine tablets recovered in two operations along India's North-Eastern frontier, and 55.86 kg of methamphetamine concealed by mixing it with maize and corn in an export consignment destined for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Significance of the Seizures

The use of railway networks as conduits for synthetic drug trafficking — with couriers travelling between Delhi, Bengaluru, and Pune — points to an organised supply chain rather than isolated incidents. The fact that two separate operations on the same day targeted women couriers on train routes from the national capital suggests a common trafficking corridor under active surveillance. All four accused remain in custody under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985. Further investigations are ongoing, and DRI has indicated that the crackdown on ATS networks will continue.