In possibly one of the biggest ever seizure of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence seized 23.5 tonnes of the banned Mandrax tablets from Udaipur, Rajasthan.
On October 28, 2016, a team of Revenue Intelligence officers raided the premises of M/s Marudhar Drinks in Udaipur on the basis of specific information. During the search, the officials detected a hidden room full of cartons of Mandrax tablets. It is estimated that it contained about 2 crore tablets.
Addressing a press conference, Central Board of Excise and Customs chairman Najib Shah said that the tablets are estimated to be worth over Rs. 3,000 crores at the current international market prices and were primarily meant for exports to Mozambique and South Africa.
“The drug, a depressant, overdose of which can lead to coma and death, is used as a recreational drug in Africa and Asia,” Mr. Shah said.
He also said that the mastermind of the syndicate that manufactured acetic anhydride, a major ingredient of Mandrax, and imported or locally procured other raw materials have been arrested. Follow-up operations to nab others involved in the drug syndicate are under way, Mr. Shah said.
On October 28, 2016, a team of Revenue Intelligence officers raided the premises of M/s Marudhar Drinks in Udaipur on the basis of specific information. During the search, the officials detected a hidden room full of cartons of Mandrax tablets. It is estimated that it contained about 2 crore tablets.
Addressing a press conference, Central Board of Excise and Customs chairman Najib Shah said that the tablets are estimated to be worth over Rs. 3,000 crores at the current international market prices and were primarily meant for exports to Mozambique and South Africa.
“The drug, a depressant, overdose of which can lead to coma and death, is used as a recreational drug in Africa and Asia,” Mr. Shah said.
He also said that the mastermind of the syndicate that manufactured acetic anhydride, a major ingredient of Mandrax, and imported or locally procured other raw materials have been arrested. Follow-up operations to nab others involved in the drug syndicate are under way, Mr. Shah said.