Mega Drug Haul In Udaipur, Mandrax Worth Rs 5,000 Crore Seized

[Hindustani78]

Last Updated: Wednesday, November 2, 2016 - 12:44
http://zeenews.india.com/news/india...ndrax-worth-rs-5000-crore-seized_1945643.html

Udaipur/New Delhi: In what is possibly one of the biggest ever seizure of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence seized 23.5 metric tonnes of Mandrax tablets at Udaipur, Rajasthan.

Addressing a press conference, Central Board of Excise and Customs Chairman Najeeb Shah said that the tablets were primarily meant for the international market, mainly Mozambique and South Africa.

The drugs, said to be worth at least Rs 5,000 crore in the international market, were seized in raids by the DRI in a pharmaceutical factory and two warehouses in Udaipur. A kilogram of Mendrax costs around Rs 20 lakh in the international market.

As per a report in the Hindustan Times, states like Rajasthan and Gujarat have illegal pharma companies manufacturing the tablet, mainly for sale in the US, Europe, and South Africa.

While it costs just a few rupees to manufacture a tablet in India, it is sold for as much as Rs 150 per tablet in the international market.

The HT report adds that the DRI raided a factory in Kaladwas in Udaipur and detained its owner Ravi Dhudhwani.

Dhudhwani then led them to two warehouses where the tablets were being stored.


First Published: Wednesday, November 2, 2016 - 12:11

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Finance
02-November, 2016 14:38 IST
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seizes about 23.5 metric tonnes of Mandrax Tablets (Methaqualone) of over Rs. 3,000 crore in one of the biggest seizure of Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances in the world; Mastermind of the syndicate has been arrested by DRI and follow-up operation is underway to nab others involved with the drug syndicate.

In one of the biggest seizure of Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances, the officers of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), apex counter-smuggling agency of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), have seized about 23.5 metric tonnes of Mandrax Tablets (Methaqualone), a banned psychotropic substance under Schedule I of NDPS Rules, 1985. Active assistance of officials of Border Security Force at Udaipur has been taken by the officers of DRI for the operation.


Information was received that huge quantities of Mandrax Tablets have been concealed in a premises at Udaipur (Rajasthan) by one Mumbai-based mastermind. On 28th October 2016, a team of officers of DRI raided the premises of M/s Marudhar Drinks, Bhamasha Industial Area, Kaladwas, Udaipur.

During the search, DRI officers detected a hidden room filled with cartons of Mandrax tablets. The total number of tablets are estimated to be about 2 crore in numbers with a weight of about 23.5 metric tonnes (23500 kgs). The international market value of seized tablets is estimated to be over Rs. 3000 crores. This is one of the largest seizures of Methaqualone not only in India but also in the world. The mastermind of the syndicate has been arrested by DRI and follow-up operation is underway to nab others involved with the drug syndicate.

The major raw material for Mandrax is acetic anhydride which was manufactured by the syndicate at Shreenath Industries, Rajsamand. The other raw materials for Methaqualone, apart from acetic anhydride (manufactured at Shreenath Industries) are Anthranillic Acid (which was imported from Indonesia from Kandla Port by misdeclaring it as Mallic Anhydride), ortho toloudiene, phosporous trichloride, caustic soda (procured locally).


Methaqualone is a depressant, overdose of which can lead to coma and death. It is used as a recreational drug in Africa and Asia. It is commonly known as Mandrax, M-pills, buttons, or smarties and is usually smoked mixed with cannabis.


Relentless efforts put in by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has resulted in neutralizing 10 other factories across several States in the recent past manufacturing various types of synthetic drugs like Mephedrone, Ketamine, Alprazolam and precursor chemical like Ephedrine.


In last five years, DRI has seized more than 540 kgs of Heroin, and 7400 kgs of ephedrine along with other narcotics and psychotropic substances under NDPS Act 1985. DRI has been in active liaison with international enforcement agencies for combating the menace of drug abuse.

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The Chairman Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), Mr. Najeeb Shah along with the Director General, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) addressing a joint press conference, in New Delhi on November 02, 2016.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Science & Technology
30-June, 2017 17:44 IST
Industry-Academia Collaborative Mission for Accelerating Discovery Research to Early Development for Biopharmaceuticals

Innovate in India (i3)

“It is time for India to capitalize now on our unique strengths and overcome any hurdles to ensure success in the bio-pharmaceutical market.” This was stated by the Union Minister for Science& Technology and Earth Sciences, Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Dr. Harshvardhan while addressing the media in New Delhi today.

The first ever Industry-Academia mission to accelerate biopharmaceutical development in India has been approved by the Government of India. The program named Innovate in India (i3) will witness an investment of USD 250 million with USD 125 million as a loan from World Bank and aspires to create an enabling ecosystem to promote entrepreneurship and indigenous manufacturing in the sector.


This Mission of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology will be implemented by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) - a Public Sector Undertaking of DBT. The programme will specifically focus on the development of new vaccines, bio-therapeutics, diagnostics and medical devices to better address the rising burden of diseases in the country. It will also bring isolated centres of excellence together, enhance regional capabilities and strengthen the current bio-clusters network in terms of capacities as well as quantity and quality of output. The programme will help deliver 6-10 new products in the next five years, create several dedicated facilities for next-generation skills, and hundreds of jobs in the process. It will provide young entrepreneurs the confidence as well as the systemic support to pursue their aspirations in biotechnological innovation, and transform India into a global hub for cutting-edge biotechnology research and development.


As a flagship program of the Government of India in collaboration with World Bank, it promises to boost the growth curve for domestic biopharma in India by accelerating the translation of research concepts into viable products, supporting clinical validation, enabling sustainable networks for collaboration between industry and academia, and supporting entrepreneurial ecosystem amongst many others. Currently India has only 2.8% share in the global biopharmaceutical market, the program would elevate this to 5% resulting in an additional business opportunity of 16 Billion USD.


The oversight to the program would be provided by the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee comprising of members from various Ministries; and would be supported by Program Technical Advisory Group comprising of global and national leaders from industry and academia. The program thereby stands unique in its approach with involvement of global experts, industry leaders and World Bank in driving it and ensuring world class biomedical products are born out of the initiative. This Mission is anticipated to be a game changer for the Indian Biopharmaceutical industry.

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