100-kg synthetic drugs worth Rs 1,000 cr seized

Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, December 28

The Anti-Narcotics Cell of the Maharashtra police have seized more than 100 kg of a synthetic drug called Fentanyl valued at around Rs 1,000 crore in the international market, officials here said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Shivdeep Lande told reporters here today that sleuths from the department seized the drug from a car in Mumbai on Wednesday. Four men have been arrested so far, according to the police official. Police officials suspect that the smugglers were in the process of smuggling the drug to international markets.

Reportedly used as a painkiller by patients suffering from cancer, Fentanyl is used a recreational drug by party-goers, Anti-Narcotics Cell officials said.

Just 25 gm of the drug is enough to kill a person, according to officials. Small doses of Fentanyl are often mixed with heroin for added effect, according to officials.

“In the international market, Fentanyl is worth around Rs 10 crore per kg,” the DCP said. He said the production of this drug is strictly controlled and the four men caught with the drug were being questioned as to where they sourced it from.

Police officials feel that small pharma companies in Gujarat may be involved in processing drugs like Fentanyl for distribution in the underground markets.

The names of the four men arrested in the case have been given as Salim Ismail Dhola (52), Chandramani Matamani Tiwari (41), Sandeep Indrajeet Tiwari and Ghanshyam Ramraj Saroj. All four have been remanded in police custody till January 1.