In a significant breakthrough, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) recently uncovered a factory allegedly involved in the production and storage of narcotics in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, formerly known as Aurangabad. This operation, conducted jointly with the Crime Branch (CB) of the Ahmedabad police, has once again highlighted the growing issue of synthetic drug production in industrial units.
Factory Raid and Seizure
Over the weekend, the DRI executed a meticulously planned raid on the suspected narcotics production facility. They seized a staggering 107 liters of liquid mephedrone with an estimated street value of ₹160 crore in the grey market. Alongside the seizure, law enforcement apprehended two individuals linked to the operation – the factory owner and a warehouse manager.
Ongoing Crackdown
This operation is part of the DRI's ongoing efforts to combat narcotics production and storage in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. Collaborating with the Crime Branch (CB) of the Ahmedabad police, they conducted a joint raid on two factories owned by Apex Medichem, leading to the seizure of liquid mephedrone. These operations in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar have highlighted the rising use of synthetic drugs and the misuse of industrial facilities. A DRI source emphasized the significance of these efforts, noting that DRI officers had busted another narcotics production facility through sustained investigations. The source also stressed the importance of inter-agency cooperation in addressing the narcotics issue.
Uncovering Hidden Factories
Following a DRI-led joint operation in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar on October 20, narcotic-psychotropic substances valued at ₹250 crore in the grey market were seized. This included 23 kilograms of cocaine and 2.9 kilograms of mephedrone. During the operation, two individuals, including the alleged mastermind and a factory owner, were arrested and placed in judicial custody. Furthermore, these operations uncovered another factory located in Paithan MIDC, suspected of producing psychotropic substances such as mephedrone and ketamine. Authorities took two individuals, including the key conspirator, into custody under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, as indicated in the official release.
Detailed Investigations
Subsequent investigations, based on specific intelligence, resulted in a search at one of the accused's residences. This led to the recovery of approximately 23 kilograms of cocaine, 2.9 kilograms of mephedrone, and ₹30 lakh in Indian currency. Additionally, the DRI operation exposed the activities of Mahalakshmi Industries, a factory in Paithan MIDC, involved in mephedrone and ketamine production. This factory yielded a significant quantity of narcotics, including 4.5 kilograms of mephedrone, 4.3 kilograms of ketamine, and an extra mephedrone mixture weighing about 9.3 kilograms, as per the DRI's official statement.
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