In what could be termed as its biggest-ever drug seizure, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized narcotic substance, Mandrax tablets (Methaqualone), worth over Rs 3,000 crore, from a factory in Udaipur and also arrested Bollywood producer Subash Dudhani in this connection.
Union finance minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday congratulated DRI officials for seizing at least 23.5 metric tonnes of Mandrax tablets.
“Congratulations to DRI for seizing about 23.5 metric tonnes of Mandrax tablets worth several thousand crores,” Jaitley said in a tweet.
According to sources, on October 28, DRI officials raided the premises of Udaipur-based Marudhar Drinks and detected a room filled with cartons of banned Mandrax tablets.
“The total number of tablets are estimated to be about Rs 2 crore, weighing at least 23.5 metric tonnes. The international market value of seized tablets is estimated to be over Rs 3,000 crore,” said Najib Shah, chairperson of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC).
“This is the biggest-ever drug seizure done by DRI, the investigative arm of the CBEC. We have arrested the mastermind and efforts are underway to nab others involved with the drug syndicate,” he said.
He said that Subhas Dudhani, who has produced Bollywood films, also had businesses and properties in Mumbai.
The consignment was manufactured in Rajasthan and consigned for Mozambique or South Africa, he added.
The DRI Mumbai team traced the location to Udaipur and launched the raid with active assistance from Border Security Force (BSF).
The drug is commonly known as Mandrax, M-Pills, buttons or smarties and is usually smoked mixed with cannabis.
It is used as a recreational drug in Africa and Asia.
In the past 5 years, the DRI has seized more than 540 kgs of heroin and 7,409 kgs of ephedrine along with other narcotics and psychotropic substances.
In the recent past, the DRI has also neutralised 10 other factories manufacturing synthetic drugs like Mephedrone, Ketamine, Alprazolam and Ephedrine, across several states.
