DRI BURNS 23,000 KG MANDRAX IN RAJASTHAN

Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has destroyed over 23,000 kgs of Mandrax, a psychotropic substance, seized by it about two years ago, an official statement said on Friday. In one of the largest all time seizures, a record quantity of 23,320 kilograms of Methaqualone (Mandrax) tablets was seized by the DRI in October and November, 2016 in Udaipur.

“This seized consignment was destroyed on July 24 and July 25, 2018 after following the procedure of pre-trial disposal specified under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985,” the statement said. “The seized drug was destroyed by incineration (burning at a very high temperature) in a rotary kiln of a factory near Chittorgarh, Rajasthan,” the statement issued by the DRI said.

The disposal was conducted by the officials of DRI and Jodhpur customs under the supervision of a high-level drug disposal committee. The search of a warehouse situated at Bhamashah industrial area, Kaladwas, Udaipur was conducted by a team of DRI officers on October 28, 2016.

“This had resulted in recovery of 23,320 kilograms of Methaqualone tablets packed in plastic bags. The contraband substance was recovered from a secret compartment. The tablets were seized by DRI under the Narcotic Drug & Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 on November 2, that year. “This was reportedly one of the biggest seizures of Methaqualone tablets in the world. On testing, the purity of the seized Methaqualone was found to be more than 90 per cent,” it said.

The mastermind of the case had spread his business in Udaipur and Rajasmand- Rajasthan, Kandla-Gujarat, Mumbai, Dubai and Hong Kong, the statement said. Investigation revealed that methaqualone tablets were exported to African countries like Mozambique, Kenya and Malawi, concealed in export consignments of the firms/ companies controlled by the mastermind, who was involved in the manufacture and export of the same since 1995-96, the DRI said. PTI

NEWDELHI:The