Maharashtra: DRI busts mephedrone factory in Nagpur

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence DRI in a wellcoordinated search operation uncovered a mephedrone factory in Nagpurs Paachpavli area reported news agency ANIAccording to an official statement from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence the operation was conducted on August 10 at the mephedrone factory in NagpurBased on specific intelligence developed by DRI Mumbai Zonal Unit that an underconstruction building located in the Paachpavli area in Nagpur City was involved in clandestine manufacturing of Mephedrone a wellcoordinated search operation was conducted on August 10 A search revealed that a small laboratory well equipped with all the chemicals materials and machinery required to produce Mephedrone was set up at the location as per a press release reported ANIThe mastermind first procured and set up a complete set of machinery and acquired raw materials which could manufacture more than 100kg of Mephedrone as per DRIThe syndicate had already prepared more than 50 kg of Mephedrone in liquid form and further processing of the same to bring out the product in crystallised powder form was underway The recovered 5195 Kg of Mephedrone in liquid form valued approximately at Rs 78 crore along with raw materials and equipment was seized Mephedrone is a psychotropic substance under the NDPS Act 1985 the release stated reported ANIThe mastermindfinancier of the syndicate along with his three accomplices who were involved in manufacturing have been apprehended and arrested under the provisions of NDPS Act 1985 The arrested accused have been sent to DRI custody for further interrogation During the operation the DRI team also received assistance from the Nagpur police Further investigation is under progress as per DRI reported ANIThe operation reinforces the capabilities of the DRI to undertake and successfully execute complex operations to bust drugs trafficking networks as per the releaseMeanwhile parcel packets containing hybrid marijuana hidden in childrens toys and ladies footwear were seized from the foreign post office section in Ahmedabad with the preliminary investigation suggesting the dark web as the procurement source and potential foreign links police said reported PTIThe estimated value of 567 kg of highquality hybrid ganja seized from 37 packets on Saturday night is Rs 170 crore officials said on Sunday reported PTIThe cyber crime branch and the Customs Department seized the packets before they could be dispatched for delivery officials said reported PTIA joint team of cyber crime and Customs department had mounted surveillance following inputs regarding drug peddlers using dark webs and other social media platforms to procure contraband from abroad officials saidA total of 37 suspected parcels of highquality hybrid ganja weighing 567 kg with an international market price of Rs 17010510 were detected the cyber crime branch statedThe contraband was found hidden in items such as kids travel airbeds air purifiers soft toys dresses Bluetooth speakers ladies footwear etc the release stated reported PTIAn FIR was registered under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and the Information Technology Act and efforts are underway to nab the accused persons it said reported PTIWith inputs from ANI and PTI