Mandrax is a banned psychotropic substance under Schedule I of the NDPS ACT, 1985
In what is deemed to be one of the biggest seizures of Narcotic Drugs Psychotropic Substances (NDPS), the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized about 23.5 tonnes of Mandrax tablets (methaqualone) at Udaipur in Rajasthan. Mandrax is a banned psychotropic substance under Schedule I of the NDPS ACT, 1985.
The mastermind of the syndicate, a Mumbai-based businessman, has been arrested. A follow-up operation is under way to nab the others involved.
DRI officers seized the tablets after raiding the premises of M/s Marudhar Drinks, Bhamasha Industial Area, Kaladwas, Udaipur, on a tip-off on October 28. They detected a hidden room filled with cartons of Mandrax tablets and seized about 2 crore of them, worth over Rs 3,000 crore. The DRI claimed that it is one of the largest seizures of methaqualone not just in India, but in the entire world.
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 are anthranillic acid, which was imported from Indonesia through the Kandla Port by misdeclaring it as mallic anhydride, ortho toloudiene, phosporous trichloride and locally procured caustic soda.
Methaqualone is a depressant and its overdose 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 with cannabis.
In the past, the DRI has neutralised 10 factories across several states manufacturing various types of synthetic drugs like mephedrone, ketamine, alprazolam and precursor chemicals like ephedrine. In the last five years, the DRI has seized more than 540 kg of heroin, and 7.4 tonnes of ephedrine, along with other narcotics and psychotropic substances. The DRI has been in active liaison with international agencies to combat the menace of drug abuse.
The DRI was assisted by the Border Security Force (BSF) during the Udaipur raid.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Pharma")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}