CBN Seizes 12 Crore Tramadol Tablets, Foils Bid To Divert Consignment To Libya
Photo (PIB)
Law Mail Desk
New Delhi, July 20, 2026:
The Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) has seized an export consignment of 12 crore high-strength Tramadol Hydrochloride tablets and arrested three key accused after foiling an alleged attempt to divert the consignment to Libya through a falsely declared destination, in a major crackdown under Operation Vajra.
The consignment, comprising 120 million (12 crore) Tramadol Hydrochloride (250 mg) tablets weighing approximately 30 metric tonnes, was seized from a warehouse in Delhi, preventing its diversion into illicit international channels.
According to the Ministry of Finance, preliminary investigation indicated that the consignment, ostensibly destined for Guinea-Bissau, appeared to be intended for diversion to Libya.
The operation, codenamed Operation Vajra, was carried out by preventive teams of the Central Bureau of Narcotics, Gwalior, between July 10 and July 20, 2026 across Bengaluru, Delhi and Kochi, with effective coordination from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Bengaluru, DRI Kochi and other agencies.
The CBN said intelligence inputs indicated that the export consignment destined for Guinea-Bissau was intended for diversion to Libya. During scrutiny under its risk-based export control mechanism, multiple risk indicators were identified, prompting detailed examination and coordination.
Subsequent enquiries conducted by the CBN in coordination with the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) and the competent authorities of Guinea-Bissau established that the declared destination had been misrepresented, revealing an attempt to facilitate diversion of the consignment.
Based on these findings, the CBN carried out coordinated enforcement action in Bengaluru and arrested the Director of a Bengaluru-based Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) firm under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
Further investigation revealed that the principal conspirators were operating from Kerala. Despite repeated attempts to evade law enforcement agencies, sustained intelligence gathering led to the arrest of the remaining two key conspirators from Kochi. All three accused have been arrested under the NDPS Act, 1985, and further investigation is in progress.
The Ministry said the timely action by the CBN prevented a massive influx of illicit synthetic opioids into active conflict zones. It said the operation highlighted the effectiveness of risk-based profiling, intelligence sharing between international law enforcement agencies and coordination among national agencies to secure global pharmaceutical supply chains.
The Ministry added that the successful execution of Operation Vajra underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-led enforcement, inter-agency coordination and international cooperation in combating transnational organised drug trafficking, while reaffirming India's commitment to safeguarding its regulatory framework and advancing the Government's vision of a Nasha Mukt Bharat.