Tramadol Smuggling Ring Busted: 5 arrested in Gujarat

They are believed to have played pivotal roles in the illegal production and supply of tramadol

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Police Arrest
Picture: Pixabay

Last Updated on August 20, 2024 by The Health Master

Tramadol

Gujarat’s Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has dealt a significant blow to an illicit drug trafficking network (Tramadol Smuggling) with the arrest of three more individuals, including the owners of a pharmaceutical company in Chhatral.

This brings the total number of arrests in connection with the illegal export of tramadol to African countries to five.

Massive Tramadol Haul Seized

In a coordinated operation earlier this week, authorities seized a staggering 1,410 liters of liquid tramadol—a key ingredient in tramadol tablet production—from a pharmaceutical facility in Dahej.

The seized liquid, valued at a whopping Rs 31.02 crore, is a clear indication of the scale of this illicit operation.

Unraveling the Drug Syndicate

The investigation, spearheaded by the ATS, began with the arrest of Pankaj Rajput, a chief chemist, and Nikhil Kapuriya, associated with a pharmaceutical firm.

Their interrogation led investigators to a complex network of individuals involved in the manufacturing and distribution of the banned drug.

Harshad Kukadiya, owner of Shreeji Scientific in Sarkhej, was apprehended alongside Anand Patel and Ankit Patel, the owners of Dinakor Pharma Pvt Ltd in Chhatral.

The trio is believed to have played pivotal roles in the illegal production and supply of tramadol.

Tramadol: A Controlled Substance

NDPS Act Narcotic drugs
NDPS

It’s crucial to understand that tramadol, an opioid pain medication, has been classified as a controlled substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act since 2018.

Its export is strictly prohibited due to its potential for abuse and addiction.

The Modus Operandi

Investigations revealed a meticulously planned operation. Rajput and Kapuriya allegedly supplied tramadol active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) to Kukadiya, who then converted it into powder form.

This powder was subsequently provided to Keval Gondaliya for tablet production.

The Patel brothers’ pharmaceutical company in Chhatral was the manufacturing hub, where the tablets were produced and packaged before being distributed by Gondaliya and Harshit Patel.

Link to Massive Tramadol Seizure

The dots connecting this case to a previous seizure of 6.8 million tramadol tablets worth Rs 110 crore by Mundra Customs in July have been established.

The seized consignment, destined for Sierra Leone and Niger, has been directly linked to the individuals involved in this drug racket.

The arrest of these individuals is a significant step in combating the illegal drug trade and protecting public health. However, the challenge of dismantling such complex networks remains.

Disclaimer: This article contains information derived from the source mentioned below. Our team utilized an AI language model to rewrite and present the news or article in a unique format.

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