NCB seizes drugs worth Rs 60 crore from Mumbai, Vadodara

MUMBAI: Following a multi-state operation, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) arrested four people holding controlled drugs worth Rs 60 crore that was sold to clients

MUMBAI: Following a multi-state operation, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) arrested four people holding controlled drugs worth Rs 60 crore that was sold to clients in foreign countries.

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The probe showed the accused accepted orders from Europe and USA, among other countries, through a website.

“The drugs were sent as parcels through courier companies in Gujarat and Mumbai. The accused said they were sending health products, vitamins, herbal and ayurveda products,” said Hari Om Gandhi, zonal director, Ahmedabad unit.

During the operation, a parcel was intercepted at Gujarat, and this led the NCB to a company in Vadodara called Dolphin pharmaceuticals.

The firm, launched around four months ago, allegedly illegally stocked the psychotropic substances. It was raided last week and its director, Anil Luhar, and the manager, Zahid Shaikh, were arrested. When they were questioned, they revealed the drugs were being received from a Krishna Chowdhary pharma in Andheri.

The NCB then raided the Mumbai firm, leading to the seizure of more drugs and the arrests of two more people — its director Krishna Chowdhary and manager Murugan.

“The drugs are sold only on prescription. They are controlled drugs and are even banned in some countries,” said Kumar Sanjay Jha, zonal director, Mumbai and Goa region. The probe showed the Mumbai firm supplied the drugs to the Vadodara company. “The seized drugs were unaccounted for,” said Jha.

NCB sources said these firms supplied drugs to USA, UK and Australia. The NCB is now investigating if there were officials involved in allowing the drugs to be exported . The accused have been arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the NCB is investigating the international link .