THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: According to the DRI report, Keralites Vijin and Mansoor, have smuggled drugs worth Rs 1978 crores to India under the guise of importing fruits. Apart from the drugs seized from the load called Valencia Orange on the 30th of last month, they are also accused of being involved in the seizure of 50 kg of cocaine worth Rs 502 crore on October 5. Vijin’s arrest has been recorded in this case also.

In the report submitted by the investigation team to the court, it is said that they have been doing this since 2018. Cocaine was smuggled in a container containing green apples. At the same time, the probe team is also suspecting that they are connected to the incident where 50 kg of heroin was seized from a Pakistani boat off the coast of Gujarat.

On September 30, 198 kg of highly potent Crystal Meth and 9 kg of cocaine were seized from the Mumbai coast. It worth Rs 1476 crore in the international market. They were caught on the road while trying to smuggle it in a truck. The drug was brought from Johannesberg in South Africa. The import was in the name of Yummy International Foods, the company of Vijin Varghese, a native of Ernakulam. During the interrogation, Vijin said that his accomplice, Mansoor Thachan Paramban, a native of Kasaragod, took the initiative to deliver the seized consignment. He also stated that he had imported fruits many times with Mansoor. But the family says that Mansoor is not involved in this.

Both started their friendship through the business of exporting masks to Dubai during the Covid period. Later they decided to cooperate in other businesses. Investigation is continuing to know whether these drugs were brought for distribution to foreign countries or to India. The probe is also focused around Jibin Varghese, brother of Vijin and co-owner of Yummy International Foods.