DRI busted Smuggling Ring of Synthetic Drug; Seized 50 kg Ketamine worth Rs.25 Crores

In its third major crackdown in three months, DRI Ahmedabad found a synthetic drug production and smuggling gang and seized 50 kilogrammes of Ketamine worth Rs.25 crore. DRI’s back-to-back actions emphasise the increasing misuse and the production of synthetic drugs.

DRI Ahmedabad officers interdicted an export cargo at the Air Cargo Complex Ahmedabad based on specific intelligence. The shipment was labelled as a substance called ‘Hydroxylimine Hydrochloride’ and was destined for Bangkok, Thailand.

The consignment was examined in the presence of officers from the Forensic Science Laboratory. The FSL team confirmed the presence of Ketamine in the consignment. As a result, about 50 kg of ketamine was seized under the NDPS Act. The seized material is worth Rs. 25 crores on the international criminal market.

During a quick investigation, an industrial setup was discovered on the outskirts of Gandhinagar. The contraband was being made at the site and attempted to be smuggled out of India via air route. With the cooperation of Gandhinagar’s municipal police, a thorough search of the manufacturing premises recovered 46 kgs of powdered substance suspected to be NDPS.

As a result, the substance in question, as well as raw materials, intermediaries, and production premises, were seized as per the NDPS Act 1985.

In addition, three key individuals involved in the alleged smuggling attempt were arrested. Further inquiry is underway.

The DRI launched its third raid on clandestine pharma/chemical companies producing NDPS compounds in the last three months. DRI had busted Syndicates involved in the illegal production of mephedrone in chemical plants in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra, and Vapi, Gujarat. The operation resulted in the recovery of more than Rs. 500 crores in narcotics substances, as well as the discovery of three clandestine labs involved in the production of Mephedrone.