Gang of 3 held for trying to smuggle psychotropic drugs

Based on a specific tip-off, the Chennai Zonal Unit of the DRI seized tablets of psychotropic substances that the gang attempted to be smuggle in the guise of herbal medication and wellness products.

On Tuesday night, DRI team intercepted nine consignments at a courier office. The follow up searches carried out at the mastermind’s premise in Chennai and that of a courier franchisee through which the consignments were booked and routed resulted in the seizure of large quantities of similar tablets of psychotropic substances and potency-increasing drugs, including Diazepam, Hydrocodone, Nitrazepam, Phentermine, Zolpidem, And Oxycodone (all psychotropic substances), as well as dubious cocktails of tadalafil and sildenafil (Viagra and Cialis) at different stages of export.

Three persons have been apprehended in the case - the mastermind of the syndicate, who was receiving these drugs from various suppliers all over India, packing and preparing them at his Ambattur residence for export; his employee and confidante who assisted in receipt, packing and transportation of the contraband; and the courier agent whom he had taken into confidence for smuggling the goods out of India using forged documentation.

All three persons reportedly admitted their guilt in the smuggling of psychotropic substances for financial gain, and are suspected to be part of a wider online racket, a DRI press release said.