Pune: DRI Seizes Mephedrone Worth Rs 160 Crores After Raiding Factory In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
Pune, 29th October 2023: In a joint operation, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) teams from Pune and Ahmedabad, along with the Crime Branch of Ahmedabad police, executed a joint operation on October 20, 2023. The operation led to the seizure of mephedrone, ketamine, and cocaine, amounting to an illicit market value of approximately Rs. 250 Crores, under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Notably, two individuals, including the alleged mastermind and a factory owner, have been apprehended and are now in judicial custody.
Building on the momentum of their initial success, DRI officers continued their investigation, uncovering yet another narcotics facility on October 28, 2023. This time, the focus shifted to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad), Maharashtra, where officers raided the premises of M/s Apex Medichem Pvt. Ltd. The search resulted in the discovery of approximately 107 litres of liquid Mephedrone, valued at an estimated Rs. 160 Crores in the illicit market.
The operation saw the arrest of two individuals, the factory owner, and the warehouse manager, under the NDPS Act, 1985. These arrests mark a significant step in the fight against the rising use of synthetic drugs and the exploitation of industrial units for illegal narcotics production.
The seizure and subsequent investigations underscore the crucial role of inter-agency collaboration in combating the narcotics menace within the country.
