Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], October 9 : In the recent development after MD (Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) drugs worth Rs 1,814 crore were seized from a factory in Bhopal, the police confiscated raw materials used in making the drugs worth Rs 60 Lakh from a warehouse of prime accused Amit Chaturvedi in Bhopal, an officer said on Wednesday.
The warehouse was located near Rapandia square under the Jurisdiction of Katra Hills police station in the city. Accused Chaturvedi had taken the warehouse on rent, he added.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 2) Sanjay Kumar Agarwal told ANI, "We received information that something suspicious has been stored in a shop located near Rapandia square under Katra Hills police station. Also, the transportation of goods takes place secretly. We verified the information and came to know that the materials were the same as which NCB and Gujarat ATS confiscated from a factory located in Bagroda industrial area in the city on Sunday, October 6."
"Huge quantity of chemicals were recovered which is highly concentrated worth approximately Rs 60 Lakhs. It was the same chemicals which are used in making MD drugs. If the drugs were prepared from these materials, then its price in the international market would have been around Rs 400 to Rs 500 crores," the officer said.
The chemical which were confiscated include, 1600 litres of acetone, 1000 litres of toluene, 100 litres of HCL (35 % concentration), 200 kg of sodium carbonate powder, 240 litres of solvent, 40 kg of sodium carbonate, 42 bottles of bromine, 20 litres of some liquid, 50 kg of methylamine hydrochloride, 50 kg of light soda ash, 10 kg of crystal granular powder, 10-15 litres of other liquid and other materials were seized, DCP Agarwal said.
He further added, "When we investigated thoroughly and verified the details, we came to know that the warehouse belonged to the same prime accused, Amit Chaturvedi, who already has been arrested in connection with a drug seizure from the factory. Chaturvedi had taken the warehouse on rent from Vishnu Patidar (Owner of shop). He used to store the chemicals here and then transport them to the factory."
"We have also registered against the owner of the shop who didn't provide information about the tenant to the police. Chaturvedi had also rented a flat and the situation was the same there too following which we have taken action against its owner as well," the officer said.
An investigation about the nexus and its linkage in Bhopal is underway and further action will be taken accordingly, he further added.
Earlier on Sunday October 6, the Gujarat ATS and NCB confiscated drugs and raw materials valued at Rs 1,814 crore from the factory and apprehended two persons. They have been identified as Amit Chaturvedi, a Bhopal resident, and Sanyal Bane, a resident of Nashik.
During the search operation, authorities seized 907 kg of MD in both liquid and solid forms, with an estimated value of Rs 1,814 crore in the international market.
Gujarat ATS DIG Sunil Joshi said that this was the largest drug factory ever busted by the Gujarat ATS.
"Our officers received information that Amit Chaturvedi, a resident of Bhopal, and Sanyal Bane, a resident of Nashik, had established a sophisticated drug factory in Bhopal for producing MD. Once we confirmed the validity of this information, a team was formed along with NCB operations. The factory was identified, and both accused were nabbed. During the search, we seized 907 kg of MD in both liquid and solid forms. The estimated value of seized drugs in the international market is around Rs 1,814 crore," Joshi said.