180 kg narco drugs worth over Rs 250 cr seized from Sambhajinagar factory; two held

As per DRI officials, the Ahmedabad zonal unit of DRI and crime branch of Ahmedabad police received information about a factory where narcotics were being produced. Following this, search operations were conducted at various locations in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) District.

Subsequently Aurangabad crime branch officials were also involved in the raids.

During investigation, DRI officials said residential premises of one of the two accused arrested in the case was searched, wherein about 23 kg cocaine, 2.9 kg Mephedrone and Rs30 lakh in cash was recovered.

“Mephedrone and ketamine was being produced in a factory set up in Paithan MIDC by the name Mahalakshmi Industries. A total of 4.5 kg mephedrone, 4.3 kg ketamine and another mixture of mephedrone weighing about 9.3 kg was recovered from this site,” as per the press note.

Two persons, including the key conspirator, were arrested while narcotics substances were seized under provisions of NDPS Act, 1985.

The illicit market value of the recovered narcotics drugs and psychotropic substances is more than Rs 250 crore, DRI officials said.

“The DRI operation highlights the increasing use of synthetic drugs and misuse of industrial units in manufacturing of these drugs. The operation also underlines the importance of inter-agency cooperation in tackling the narcotics menace in the country,” the DRI said.