DRI seizes MD worth Rs 78 crore in Nagpur, nabs mastermind, 3 others
The 51.95 kg of Mephedrone in liquid form worth Rs 78 crore along with raw material and equipment was seized.
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During the search, it was revealed that a small laboratory, well equipped with all the chemicals, material and machinery required for the production of Mephedrone, was set up at the site. (Express Photo)The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Mumbai unit raided an under-construction site in Nagpur on Saturday and seized 51.95 kg of Mephedrone (a psychotropic substance) in liquid form worth approximately Rs 78 crore. The agency also arrested four persons including the mastermind, who was manufacturing the drug.
Acting on specific intelligence about manufacturing of Mephedrone at an isolated location of an under-construction site, the agency on Saturday conducted a well-coordinated search operation at an under-construction building in Panchpaoli area of Nagpur, with the help of the Nagpur police.
During the search, it was revealed that a small laboratory, well equipped with all the chemicals, material and machinery required for the production of Mephedrone, was set up at the site.
The mastermind of the group had first procured and set up a complete set of machinery and also acquired raw material which had the potential to manufacture more than 100 kg of Mephedrone, the DRI said.
The syndicate had already prepared more than 50kg of Mephedrone in liquid form and was under process of further processing the same to bring out the product in crystallized or powder form, DRI officials stated.
The 51.95 kg of Mephedrone in liquid form worth Rs 78 crore along with raw material and equipment was seized.
The apex anti-smuggling agency stated that the mastermind or the financer of the syndicate along with his three associates who were involved in the manufacturing have been arrested under the provisions of Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) Act, 1985.
DRI officials are now scanning their phone call details to find out the details of the peddling rackets which would take drugs from the group. The investigators are also obtaining details of the transactions of the bank accounts held by the accused. DRI personnel will also check if the accused have bought any properties using money earned from the drugs business, an agency source said.
The arrested accused were produced before the court on Sunday and were sent to DRI custody for further interrogation.
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