A joint operation by the DRI and UP ATS resulted in the arrest of two men linked to an illegal mephedrone manufacturing facility
Those arrested have been identified as Santosh Kumar of Sangli in Maharashtra, 37, and Hemendra Kushwaha of Jalaun, 28. LUCKNOW: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), in coordination with the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), has busted a clandestine mephedrone manufacturing facility operating in a remote village in Orai in Jalaun district. Two people allegedly involved in an illicit drug manufacturing and trafficking network, have been arrested. The two met while being lodged in Aurther road jail in Mumbai.
The seized drugs and related material are estimated to be worth around Rs 300 crore, according to the information provided by the agencies. The operation was conducted in the early hours of Thursday, October 29, when DRI officers, assisted by the UP ATS, carried out a surprise raid at the premises after moving through the narrow lanes of the village. The joint operation resulted in the seizure of approximately 1,102.88 kg of drugs, semi-processed substances and precursor chemicals, along with equipment allegedly used in the manufacturing process. During the initial search, the team recovered around 184kg of semi-processed drugs and 582.2kg, by gross weight, of precursor chemicals and other material from the manufacturing facility. The search led to the recovery of 15.44kg of finished mephedrone, along with 152.94kg, by gross weight, of chemicals and a machine allegedly used in the manufacturing process. In a separate follow-up search at the premises of the second accused, the officers seized another 168.3kg, by gross weight, of precursor chemicals. The combined seizures from the manufacturing unit and the two residential premises amounted to 1,102.88kg of drugs, semi-processed substances and precursor chemicals, according to the agencies.
You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Lucknow | Silver Rate in Lucknow | Bank Holidays in Lucknow | Public Holidays in Lucknow | Lucknow AQI | Weather in Lucknow | Petrol Price in Lucknow | Diesel Price in Lucknow | CNG Price in Lucknow | LPG Price in Lucknow Stay updated with the latest Lucknow news.
The search uncovered a functional laboratory equipped for the manufacture of synthetic psychotropic substances, officials said. The DRI said the operation reflected its continued efforts to dismantle illegal drug manufacturing and trafficking networks. Santosh already has a case registered against him under the NDPS act and was the mastermind behind the lab and manufacturing of drugs. Investigators subsequently conducted a follow-up search at the residential premises of one of the accused. The arrest of the two suspects and the discovery of an operational manufacturing facility are expected to form the basis of further investigation into the alleged drug production and trafficking network. Investigators will seek to establish the source of the precursor chemicals, the intended destination of the finished mephedrone, the distribution channels used by the alleged network and whether other people were involved in operating or financing the facility. The agencies will also examine the equipment and materials seized during the searches to determine the scale and duration of the alleged manufacturing operation. Mephedrone is a synthetic psychoactive substance whose illicit production and distribution pose significant public health and law-enforcement concerns. The agency also linked its enforcement work to the government’s Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, which aims to combat substance abuse and the illicit drug trade. The joint operation highlights coordination between the DRI, which investigates customs-related offences and illicit trafficking, and the UP ATS in tackling organised illegal activities. Further investigation is underway to identify additional links in the alleged network and establish the complete extent of the operation. Download the TOI App.