New Delhi, 30 October (H.S.): The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has dismantled an illegal synthetic drug manufacturing facility operating in a remote village in Uttar Pradesh’s Jalaun district, seizing approximately 1,100 kg of narcotic substances, precursor chemicals and manufacturing equipment. Two persons have been arrested in connection with the case.

According to the Ministry of Finance, acting on specific intelligence inputs, a large team of DRI officials, assisted by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), conducted a joint operation at the suspected premises on the morning of October 29.

During the search, the officials uncovered a fully operational laboratory engaged in the manufacture of synthetic drugs. They seized approximately 184 kg of semi-processed narcotic substances, nearly 582 kg of precursor chemicals and equipment used in the manufacturing process.

Subsequent searches were carried out at the residential premises of the accused. These operations led to the recovery of approximately 15.4 kg of finished methaqualone, around 153 kg of chemicals and a machine used in the manufacturing process.

A further search at the premises of another accused resulted in the seizure of approximately 168 kg of additional precursor chemicals.

The DRI has arrested two individuals allegedly linked to the illegal manufacturing facility under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

The ministry said the substantial recovery of finished narcotic substances, semi-processed material, precursor chemicals and manufacturing equipment points to the existence of an organised illicit drug production network.

The operation has not only dismantled the illegal manufacturing facility but also prevented a significant quantity of narcotic substances and chemicals from entering the illicit supply chain, the ministry added.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar