Drugs, raw materials collectively worth Rs 97 crore seized, three held

A multi-state drug cartel has been busted and over 250 kg of drugs like Ketamine and Ephedrine besides raw materials, collectively worth Rs 97 crore,seized in an operation across Hyderab and Mumbai, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence said on Monday.

DRI arrested three people, including mastermind, who were illegally manufacturing drugs in Hyderab and two ors from Mumbai and also seized Indian Rupee, USD and Euro currency tes equivalent to Rs 45 lakh.

In a coordinated anti-narcotics operation spre over three days from August 15 across multiple locations in Hyderab and Mumbai, DRI officers seized 210 kg Mephedrone, 10 kg Ketamine and 31 kg Ephedrine worth Rs 47 crore and raw materials to manufacture 250 kg of Mephedrone worth Rs 50 crore, a release from DRIs Hyderab Zonal Unit said here.

Acting on a tip that Mephedrone, a banned psychotropic substance under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act), was being illegally manufactured on outskirts of Hyderab, DRI busted a factory and seized 142.6 kg of Mephedrone and31 kg of Ephedrine, a controlled substance under NDPS Act, it said.

During operation raw materials which were procured for furr manufacture of Mephedrone of around 250 kg were seized from factory premises, ncy said.

drugs were meant for supply to various cities in country, DRI said ding one such consignment sent from Hyderab was intercepted at Mumbai.

Mephedrone consignment h been cleverly loed in a private passenger bus as cargo with persons accompanying it, to ensure that even if consignment was caught, individuals could be linked to it.

"However, in a series of swift follow-up raids, recipients of consignment in Mumbai were identified and ir premises including a drug manufacturing laboratory in a residential premises was raided by DRI," it said.

raids resulted in recovery of Mephedrone and Ketamine (seized under provisions of NDPS Act), in dition to samples of or psychotropic substances, clearly indicating a sophisticated distribution network both within country and abro.

According to DRI, syndicate h a well-established chain of supply both within and outside country and payment for raw material and finished products took place through 'Hawala channels.' Mephedrone is a syntic stimulant drug generally abused for recreation and is colloquially kwn as bath salt, Meow Meow, etc.

Ketamine, popularly used as a party drug and also kwn as Special K or Kit Kat, leaves user with a sense of euphoria or a feeling of disconnect from self.

Ephedrine is a highly sought-after chemical precursor in illicit manufacture of methamphetamine, release ded.