Narcotics seizure at Vizag port by CBI fuels political slugfest between TDP and YSRCP

The CBI, acting on intelligence provided by Interpol, seized the container at the Visakhapatnam port, which had been ordered by Sandhya Aqua.

ByBhaskar Basava

Published Mar 24, 2024 | 10:00 AM ⚊UpdatedMar 24, 2024 | 2:41 PM

The Vizag drug container. (Supplied)

The Vizag drug container. (Supplied)

Much has been happening in Visakhapatnam surrounding the seizure of a 25,000-kg shipping container transporting narcotics by the Central Bureau of Investigation on 19 March.

The CBI, in its Operation Garuda, acting on intelligence provided by Interpol, seized the container at the Visakhapatnam port, which had been ordered by Sandhya Aqua Exports Private Limited. The container came from Brazil.

However, a political slugfest has erupted between the YSRCP and the TDP over the seized container.

In its 10-page report on 20 March, the CBI alleged delays caused by the state government and port employees. However, this claim was refuted by Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner Ravi Shankar, who denied any interference or delay caused by state officials.

Meanwhile, Sandhya Aqua Exports Private Limited denied the allegations, stating that they only ordered dried yeast for their aqua-related business. An FIR has been registered by the CBI under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.

While the TDP quickly pointed out the CBI’s allegations of delays caused by the state government and port employees, suggesting potential involvement of the ruling party, the YSRCP, on the other hand, alleged that Sandhya Aqua Exports Private Limited belongs to TDP sympathisers.

Also Read: Drugs mixed with 25,000 kg dried yeast, CBI detains shipping container at Vizag port

Operation Garuda

Upon receiving a tip from Interpol via email on 18 March 2024, the CBI investigated a possible drug shipment in a container arriving at the Visakhapatnam port from Brazil, intended for delivery to Sandhya Aqua Exports. The ship underwent transshipment in Germany and arrived on 16 March 2024.

Subsequently, two CBI officers from Delhi arrived in Visakhapatnam on 19 March. With support from local CBI and customs officials, they located container SEKU 4375380. The container was opened in the presence of authorised officers from Sandhya Aqua Exports, namely RLN Giridhar, P Srinivas Kumar Krishnamacharya, and K Bharath Kumar.

After conducting tests on 25,000 kg of dried yeast, the results indicated the presence of eight narcotics substances: Cocaine, Methaqualone, Opium, Morphine, Codeine, Heroin, Amphetamines, and Mescaline.

The CBI claimed that upon seeing the test results, the company representatives were perplexed and unable to provide satisfactory explanations. A case has been filed under Section 29 of the NDPS Act against Sandhya Aqua Exports Private Limited.

The 10-page report mentioned a point that triggered controversy on a political level.

The point reads: “During the examination process, various officers of the Andhra Pradesh government and port employees gathered at the site, causing delays in CBI proceedings. The importer’s representatives informed that there was a prediction of rainfall, and all goods might get damaged. Hence, they requested to keep the goods inside the container for the day for safe custody.”

While the TDP quickly pointed out the CBI’s allegations of delays caused by the state government and port employees, suggesting potential involvement of the ruling YSRCP.

However, Visakhapatnam’s PC Ravi Shankar refuted the allegations. Commissioner Shankar clarified that this created unnecessary confusion and emphasised that the terminology used in the report is technical, not an accusation of interference.

He said, “We are all on deputation to the Election Commission of India. We have no political pressure or leanings of any sorts. It’s important to clarify that the Visakhapatnam port falls outside our jurisdiction as it is a private port, owned by JM Bakshi. Initially, the CBI DSP requested our assistance with the dog squad. However, their plans changed and they ultimately decided not to utilise our resources. The CBI said that they would conduct their testing at the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL). Once they informed us of this, we were no longer required on site.”

Also Read: 45% of funds via electoral bonds to YSRCP came from ‘Lottery king’ Santiago Martin’s firm

The drug capital and Brazil connect

The Opposition parties, the TDP and the Jana Sena Party, were the first to react to the issue, with former chief minister Chandrababu Naidu sharing on X that the ruling party’s potential involvement with the drugs in the upcoming elections raised concerns.

He expressed fear that Andhra Pradesh has turned into the “drug capital of India” over the last five years, posing a serious risk to the future of the youth. He urged for the responsible individuals to be caught and punished.

ABN Telugu, known for its pro-TDP stance, aired a series of videos alleging the involvement of YSRCP leaders in the issue.

TDP’s national spokesperson K Pattabhi Ram addressed the issue, alleging that Kunam Veerabhadra Rao, Managing Director of Sandhya Aqua Exports company, is associated with the YSRCP. He further disclosed that Kunam Purnachandra Rao, one of the accused’s brothers, holds a prominent position as a senior YSRCP leader and has alleged close ties with YSRCP MP Vijaysai Reddy.

Pattabhi Ram alleged Vijaysai Reddy’s fondness for Brazil, citing his tweets to the Brazilian president, Lula da Silva, in 2022. He questioned transactions with Brazil, raising doubts about connections between Vijaysai Reddy and Brazil.

Following the incident, the TDP’s social media team began a campaign on X using the hashtag #YuvajanaCocaineParty, mocking the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP).

One of its posts alleged that YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s cousins — YS Anil Reddy and Sunil Reddy — ordered the deal, facilitated by Rajya Sabha MP Vijaysai Reddy, with distribution handled by YSRCP’s social media incharge Sajjala Bhargav Reddy and money handed over to YS Jagan.

Also Read: Hetero Pharma bought ₹50 crore bonds months before its Chairman a BRS Rajya Sabha MP

YSRCP’s many allegations

The YSRCP retaliated with the online campaign “Telugu Drugs Party”, mocking the Telugu Desam Party.

Sakshi, owned by YSRCP chief and Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, alleged close connections between Sandhya Aqua Exports Private Limited board members and actor-politician Nandamuri Balakrishna’s son-in-law M Sribharat, who is a TDP candidate to the Lok Sabha from Visakhapatnam. They claimed that the company benefitted greatly during the TDP’s regime.

The YSRCP further alleged a connection between the Director of Sandhya Aqua Exports Private Limited Kunam Kotaiah Chowdhary and TDP’s Narasaraopet candidate Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, as well as a link between TDP leader from Darsi, Damacharla Satyanarayana, and Chowdhary. Hinting at a Kamma community link with the Chowdhary name, they also alleged that all involved were close aides of TDP chief Naidu, who also hails from the same community.

While Damacharla submitted his resignation over the allegations, Devarayalu filed a complaint with the election commission office against the YSRCP over their “baseless allegations”.

It was also alleged that the TDP had relations with Sandhya Aqua’s Founder & Managing Director Kunam Veerabhadra Rao, citing former TDP minister Allapati Rajendra Prasad having named the MD as surety for a ₹2 crore loan taken in 2015 from a Guntur-based bank.

A connection to Purandeswari’s family?

YSRCP general secretary and advisor Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy also brought a new connection to the fore. He alleged that state BJP chief D Purandeswari’s son, Hitesh, and TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu both shared connections with the consignee company, Sandhya Aqua Exports.

According to his claims, the owners of Sandhya Aqua Exports are purportedly related to Purandeswari’s family, and her son and family members allegedly hold positions within the company.

Interestingly, one Dr KV Prasad and Kunam Veerabhadra Rao founded the Sandhya group together, and successfully ran Sandhya Marine and Sandhya Aqua. However, a few years ago, the two founders parted ways, with Prasad taking Sandhya Marine and Veerabhadra taking Sandhya Aqua. It is Prasad’s son who married Purandeswari’s daughter. Prima facie, Sandhya Aqua has nothing to do with Prasad’s Sandhya Marine.

(Edited by Kamna Revanoor)

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