DRI seizes Rs 3,000 cr worth narcotics: All you want to know about party drug Mandrax

On Wednesday, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized a massive haul of banned narcotic substance worth over Rs 3,000 crore from a factory in Udaipur and also arrested Bollywood producer Subash Dudhani in this connection.

The DRI seized 23.5 tonnes of the banned Mandrax tablets that were found hidden in a room full of cartons during a raid at the premises of M/s Marudhar Drinks in Udaipur.

So what exactly is Mandrax?

Mandrax tablet is a synthetic drug created by mixing of chemicals in chemical process. The active ingredient in Mandrax tablet is Methaqualone, which is known to act as a sedative and hypnotic.

 

In fact, Pseudoephedrine and mandrax, used as party drugs in foreign countries, are the most smuggled drugs in Tamil Nadu, data released by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has revealed.

Mandrax Tablets, classified as narcotic drug, is  banned in India and the manufacture, possession and transportation of methaqualone is an offence under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

The active ingredient, methaqualone, of Mandrax tablet was first synthesized in India in the 1950's as an anti-malaria drug but the abuse potential of Mandrax became apparent in 1973 and the tablet was placed in Schedule II, making it difficult to prescribe and illegal to possess without a prescription.

Mandrax in an antihistamine combination made by French pharmaceutical company Roussel Laboratories. It was banned by most members of the United Nations in the early 1980s on reports of widespread abuse. It was used as a recreational drug for its sedative-hypnotic effects

Mandrix tablets are known to act as a sedative and hypnotic. It promotes sleepiness, relaxation and sometimes a feeling of euphorio.The intake of tablet results in drop in blood pressure and pulse rate.  Overdose of this tablet can lead to seizures, coma and even death in some cases.

Largest drug bust

The seizure was made on 28 October from an industrial area in Udaipur after the Mumbai arm of DRI received a tip-off. The agency estimates that the drugs were meant for foreign markets even though they were manufactured in Rajasthan.It is estimated to be largest seizure of this drug worldwide and its market value is pegged to be Rs 3,000 crore. The CBEC said that the alleged mastermind Subhash Dudani has been arrested in Mumbai and sent to Udaipur in transit remand.