Based on specific intelligence developed by the DRI, teams of DRI Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Surat, and Vapi conducted search operations at various locations in GIDC Vapi, Valsad District of Gujarat on Sunday, 05.11.2023 under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

A factory set up situated in GIDC Vapi by the name M/s Prime Polymer Industries, involved in the illicit production of Mephedrone was detected. The team of Forensics Science Lab from Surat and Valsad confirmed the presence of Mephedrone in the suspect narcotics substance detected in the factory. A total of 121.75 Kg of Mephedrone in Liquid form was recovered from the factory. Further, a search of the residential premises of one of the accused resulted in the recovery of Indian Currency of about Rs.18 Lakhs.

The illicit market value of these narcotics drugs and psychotropic substances has been reported to be more than Rs180 Crores. All the recovered substances along with the cash have been seized under the relevant provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985.

Three persons have been arrested under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985. Further investigation in the case is under progress.

Two weeks back DRI had burst a Syndicate involved in the manufacturing of mephedrone in a chemical unit in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra. The operation resulted in the seizure of more than Rs. 400 crores worth of narcotics substances and the detection of 2 such labs clandestinely involved in the manufacturing of Mephedrone. Such back-to-back operations by DRI put the spotlight on the increasing use of synthetic drugs and the misuse of industrial units in the manufacturing of these drugs.

CB/GP/JD

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