Cops seize drugs worth Rs 2,000 crore in Thane

The anti-narcotics cell of the Thane police has seized close to 18,627 kg of ephedrine, a narcotic that is mixed with cocaine, and mephedrone, a drug popular with young addicts, worth Rs 2,000 crore. Four drug smugglers have been arrested

The anti-narcotics cell of the Thane police has seized close to 18,627 kg of ephedrine, a narcotic that is mixed with cocaine, and mephedrone, a drug popular with young addicts, worth Rs 2,000 crore. Four drug smugglers have been arrested.

Police officials with the seized consignment of psychotropic substances ephedrine and mephedrone

The police were tipped off on April 12 about two youths smuggling drugs into Thane and accordingly set up a trap near Ghanekatar Sabhagruh in Varthak Nagar, where the consignment was to arrive.

"We arrested Sagar Powale (28) and Mayur Sukhandare (25) the same day, and seized around two kg of ephedrine, a banned drug," said Parag Manere, deputy commissioner of police, Thane crime branch.

 During their interrogation, the youngsters revealed that a Solapur resident, Dhaneshwar Swami (28), had handed over the consignment to them. A police team immediately intercepted Swami, who said he had sourced the drugs from Evon Life Sciences' factory in Solapur, which is licensed to manufacture such drugs for medicinal use.

"We raided Evon Life Sciences on Friday and found 18,627 kg of ephedrine, worth around R2,000 crore. Senior production manager of the company Rajendra Dimri (48) has been booked since drugs were found that were unaccounted for, which we suspect had been supplied outside to be mixed with narcotic substances," said Bharat Shelke, assistant commissioner of police of the anti-narcotics cell.

The police dubbed the seizure a significant accomplishment since suppliers of such huge consignments often manage them the slip.

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