Adani Ports won't handle cargo from Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan

After a huge drug haul in Gujarat, the Adani Ports said that the terminals it runs will not handle cargo from Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan starting November 15. In a statement, Adani Ports & Logistics said, “Adani Ports and Sez will not handle EXIM containerised cargo originating from Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan at all its terminals from 15th November.” Following wide criticism on social media over the drugs haul, the Adani Group had said it had no power to police and examine containers.

The Adani Group said: "No port operator across the country can examine a container. Their role is limited to running the port... APSEZ is a port operator providing services to shipping lines. We have no policing authority over the containers or the millions of tonnes of cargo that pass through the terminals in Mundra or any of our ports."  "We sincerely hope that this statement will put to rest the motivated, malicious and false propaganda being run on social media against the Adani Group," the statement had added.

On the night of September 14-15, officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized nearly 3,000kg of Afghan heroin mixed with talcum powder worth ₹21,000 crore from the port, feeding a drug network extending all over India, including New Delhi and Noida. Officials said the consignment had originated from Afghanistan and arrived from Bandar Abbas Port in Iran.