DRI Busts Ephedrine Factory for Meth Raised in Yamunanagar
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Seizes Drugs worth Rs 245 crore
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16 kg heroin valued at Rs. 112 crore in Trolley bag at
Bangalore Rly Station Seized on way to Delhi from Addis Passenger
Continuing its crackdown on drug syndicates involved
in the manufacture, sale and distribution of drugs in the country, the Directorate
of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officers busted a clandestine factory in Yamunanagar, Haryana, that was involved in the illicit manufacture
of Ephedrine, a controlled substance listed under Schedule A
of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Regulation of Controlled
Substances) Order, 2013. Ephedrine is used in the manufacture of Methamphetamine
- a party drug, more commonly known as ice, crystal meth, speed etc. The said operation
led to seizure of 661 kg of Ephedrine and 5,200 kg of raw materials valued at Rs. 133 crore in the international illicit market.
Specific intelligence was developed by DRI that
illicit manufacture of chemical drugs was taking place at a clandestine factory
in the rural areas adjoining Yamnunanagar, Haryana. During
the searches carried out at the factory premises over a period of two days, starting
29th July 2022, a large consignment
of Ephedrine weighting 661 kg was recovered along with over 5,200 kg
of raw material, which was to be used for
the manufacture of ephedrine. Equipment like centrifuges and glass line reactors,
which were being used to manufacture the chemical drugs were also recovered. Two
persons, including one of the financiers, have been arrested in this case and further
investigations are underway.
In another case, DRI officers intercepted a person
at Bengaluru Railway Station, search of whose bag led to the recovery of 16 kg heroin valued at Rs. 112 crore in the international illicit market, which was ingeniously concealed
in the false cavity of the trolley bag. This person had arrived in Bengaluru by
the morning flight from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and was on his way to New Delhi,
when he was intercepted. The said person has been arrested and further investigations
are underway.
Busting of a factory manufacturing illicit drugs
deals a body-blow to the drug syndicates engaged in manufacturing, sale and distribution
of such drugs, which have the potential to harm India’s youth. DRI is committed
to making utmost efforts to protect India from the menace of narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances that have wide ranging socio-economic implications. In the
financial year 2021-22, through its operations conducted across the length and breadth
of India, DRI seized 3,463 kg of heroin, 208 kg of pseudoephedrine and 321 kg of cocaine, together valued at almost Rs 19,800 crore in the international illicit market.