In a significant operation, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in collaboration with the Ahmedabad Crime Branch and DRI Pune executed a joint operation on October 20, 2023. This successful operation led to the seizure of mephedrone, ketamine, and cocaine, collectively valued at approximately Rs. 250 Crores in the illicit market, all under the purview of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The operation resulted in the arrest of two individuals, including the alleged mastermind and a factory owner, who are currently in judicial custody.
Building on their initial success, DRI officers continued their relentless pursuit of illegal narcotics activities, culminating in another major bust on October 28, 2023. This time, their focus was on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad), Maharashtra, where officers conducted a raid on the premises of M/s Apex Medichem Pvt. Ltd. The search yielded a staggering discovery of approximately 107 liters of liquid Mephedrone, with an estimated illicit market value of Rs. 160 Crores.
The operation also resulted in the apprehension of two individuals, the factory owner, and the warehouse manager, who were taken into custody under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985. These arrests represent a significant step in the ongoing battle against the proliferation of synthetic drugs and the exploitation of industrial facilities for illicit narcotics production.
This impressive seizure and the subsequent investigative efforts underscore the pivotal role of inter-agency collaboration in the tireless fight against the narcotics trade within the nation.
