The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized psychotropic substances worth Rs 46 crore from two premises of Rishi Minechem and Lucent Pharma in Rajasthan and Ahmedabad, respectively.

Acting upon specific intelligence, the DRI carried out a synchronised and coordinated operation spread over Mount Abu and Ahmedabad and seized 218.43 kg of Mephedrone Hydrochloride (a psychotropic substance under the Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985) from the factory premises of Rishi Minechem Pvt. Ltd. in RIICO Industrial Growth Centre, Abu Road, Mount Abu, on May 25. Besides, 15.40 kg of Methamphetamine was also seized under the NDPS Act 1985 from the factory premises of Lucent Pharma, GIDC, district Gandhinagar, a Finance Ministry release said.

It said five persons, “including the kingpin and mastermind of the case, the director of Rishi Minechem, partner of Lucent Pharma, one chemist and a technical expert have been arrested,” the release added.

DRI said the international market value of the seized Mephedrone is Rs 30.58 crore and of the seized Methamphetamine is Rs 15.40 crore. Further investigation in the case is under process.

Mephedrone was recently added to the schedule to NDPS Act, 1985. In the past three months, the DRI has effected seizure of close to 1,250 kg Mephedrone and busted four factories ever since it was notified as a psychotropic substance.

comment COMMENT NOW