Supreme Court Hears Mundra Port Drug Haul Case; Links to Terror Funding Surface
New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India deliberated on a pivotal case involving the 2,988 kg heroin seizure at Gujarat’s Mundra Port, operated by Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd. The case has been described by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) as the country’s largest narco-terror operation, with direct links to Pakistan's ISI and terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
Details of the Case:
- Seizure and Modus Operandi: In September 2021, Indian authorities intercepted a shipment declared as semi-processed talc stones, later identified as heroin, worth approximately ₹21,000 crore. The consignment originated in Afghanistan, passing through Iran, and was routed via shell companies, including the now-notorious Aashi Trading Company.
- Terror Nexus: Proceeds from the drug trade allegedly funded LeT operations, including the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, which resulted in 28 civilian deaths. The NIA also unearthed connections to arms procurement and recruitment for terror activities.
Court Proceedings:
The Supreme Court is reviewing a bail plea by Harpreet Singh Talwar, a businessman accused of facilitating the shipment under the guise of legitimate imports. The NIA, opposing the bail, presented evidence, including testimonies from a protected witness, implicating the accused in financial transfers to LeT operatives. The investigation has also been marred by the suspicious death of a retired customs official, a key witness in the case.
Implications:
The NIA has termed this operation a deliberate effort to destabilize India, with funding channels routed through intermediaries in Dubai and Iran. The agency highlighted that such narco-terror networks represent a grave threat to national security.
The Supreme Court has reserved its verdict on the bail plea, with the case drawing intense public and media scrutiny due to its wide-ranging implications.
