A massive seizure of illegal bovine meat (beef) at a private cold storage in Visakhapatnam has provoked an uncompromising response from Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, who ordered the city police to expose the criminal networks behind the racket and promised firm action against all those involved.

Officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) acting on intelligence raided Mitra Cold Storage and recovered 1.89 lakh kilograms of beef, the DRI informed the Deputy Chief Minister. The contraband was immediately handed over to Visakhapatnam police as a formal case was registered.

Speaking after receiving details, Pawan Kalyan made clear there would be no leniency. “Whoever is behind this syndicate, public servants, businessmen or smugglers, will not be spared. There will be no tolerance for illegal cow slaughter, sale or export in any form,” he said. He instructed the Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner to trace the entire chain, procurement points, transport routes and intended buyers, domestic or abroad.

Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner confirmed that cold-storage managers have been taken into custody and are being interrogated. “We have seized the stock and registered a criminal case. Investigations are focused on source verification, movement records and any permit or statutory violations. We will pursue all leads and present the culprits to the law,” the Commissioner told reporters.

DRI officers who conducted the raid briefed the Deputy Chief Minister over the phone and handed over documentation related to the seizure. A senior DRI official said the agency is cooperating with state police to reconstruct the logistics and financial flows behind the operation.

Pawan Kalyan framed the crackdown as proof of the NDA government’s determination on cattle protection. “This incident underscores how resolutely the NDA government is enforcing the ban on illegal cow slaughter,” he said, recalling that he had previously acted swiftly to shut down an illicit slaughterhouse in Pithapuram after it came to his notice.

The Deputy Chief Minister warned of stern legal and administrative action once the investigation identifies the perpetrators. He urged a coordinated operation between state police, DRI and other central agencies to dismantle the network rather than merely penalise low-level operatives.

For now, the emphasis is squarely on unravelling the supply chain. “This is not a one-off seizure. It is a window into organised criminal activity that must be uprooted,” Pawan Kalyan said.