5 held in Pune with Methaqualone worth over Rs 50 crore, DRI probes cartel with foreign links

During detailed examination of the vehicle, it was found that the vehicle was carrying four blue coloured plastic containers filled with white crystalline material.

Primary field tests indicated the substance to be Methaqualone, a psychotropic substance banned under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

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In a major drug bust, the Pune Regional Unit of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized over 101 kilogram of banned hypnotic sedative Methaqualone and have launched a probe into a suspected multi-state cartel with overseas links.

The DRI officials said that based on specific intelligence, the team intercepted a car bearing Telangana registration plate in Pune on August 22. During detailed examination of the vehicle, it was found that the vehicle was carrying four blue coloured plastic containers filled with white crystalline material. Primary field tests indicated the substance to be Methaqualone, a psychotropic substance banned under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Subsequently, the vehicle along with the 101.31 kilogram of the substance suspected to be Methaqualone, having an illegal market value of Rs 50.65 crore, was seized by the DRI under the provisions of the NDPS Act.

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The DRI officials said that based on specific intelligence, the team intercepted a car bearing Telangana registration plate in Pune on August 22

Five persons, who are residents of Telangana, Maharashtra, Delhi and Haryana have been arrested. “Preliminary investigations indicate that the arrested persons are engaged in illegal sale, purchase, transportation and export of psychotropic substances and the cartel may be spread in multiple states of India and may also have overseas connections. Further Investigation in this case is in progress,” a senior DRI officer said.

The DRI is the premier anti-smuggling agency of India, working under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs of the Ministry of Finance. It is tasked with detecting and curbing smuggling of contraband, including drug trafficking and illicit international trade in wildlife and environmentally sensitive items, as well as combating commercial frauds related to international trade and evasion of Customs duty.

Sushant Kulkarni

Sushant Kulkarni is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express in Pune with 12+ years of experience covering issues related to Crime, Defence, Internal Security and Courts. He has been associated with the Indian Express since July 2010. Sushant has extensively reported on law and order issues of Pune and surrounding area, Cyber crime, narcotics trade and terrorism. His coverage in the Defence beat includes operational aspects of the three services, the defence research and development and issues related to key defence establishments. He has covered several sensitive cases in the courts at Pune. Sushant is an avid photographer, plays harmonica and loves cooking. ... Read More

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