Banned painkiller used by ISIS fighters to overcome pain, fatigue seized in Palghar

Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) busted a major drug racket and confiscated Tramadol tablets worth more than ₹50 crore.

Acting on a tip-off, DRI officials raided a pharmaceutical unit in Palghar on Sunday and seized 8.69 crore Tramadol tablets, of which 4.47 crore tablets were recovered from a godown near Dronagiri, JNPT.

Three people, including the factory owner, were arrested during the raid.

An opioid, Tramadol was banned in India last month. Abused by addicts worldwide, officials said the drug is also used by ISIS fighters to suppress pain and fatigue. Hence, it is also known as the ‘fighter drug’.

Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) had sought to bring Tramadol under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act after it discovered that the drug was smuggled internationally through India and had links to terrorists group such as ISIS.

When the drug was legal, prescription was necessary to purchase it. The drug is smuggled out of the country through couriers and carriers to countries such as US and Canada, among others.

Tramadol, a painkiller, has been declared as a psychotropic substance and was brought under the control of NDPS Act by the Centre in April. After the ban, law enforcement agencies can arrest and prosecute those manufacturing or selling the drug.

First Published: May 28, 2018 23:55 IST