Mudra Customs, Special Intelligence & Investigation Branch, has arrested the 27 year old Partner of a Rajkot based merchant exporter involved in the illicit export of Tramadol, a psychotropic substance under the NDPS Act, 1985 to African Countries. Based on intelligence, Special Intelligence & Investigation Branch (SIIB), had intercepted two export consignments of the same exporter destined for West African countries in July 2024. While the declared goods included Diclofenac and Gebedol tablets, concealed within were 68 lakh undeclared Tramadol Hydrochloride tablets (225 mg) worth ₹110 crores. Tramadol, a psychotropic substance restricted under the NDPS Act, 1985, was disguised under brand names like "Tramaking-225" and "Royal-225". Follow-up examinations on recall of consignments already exported revealed additional concealed Tramadol worth 40 crores in other shipments by the same exporter. A total seizure of about 94 lakh tablets has been made which includes a seizure at a follow up search in a warehouse based in Kalol. Known for misuse by extremist groups and high demand in Africa, this seizure marked one of the largest Tramadol busts since its classification as a psychotropic under the NDPS Act in 2018.

AP/IJ/GP/JD

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