Drugs worth Rs 3,000 crore seized from Udaipur factory; Bollywood producer arrested

One of the largest drug hauls by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has led to the seizure of narcotic substance worth Rs 3,000 crore in Udaipur and the arrest of a Bollywood producer.

The DRI recovered almost two crore tablets of Mandrax from an Udaipur-based factory called Marudhar Drinks on Friday. The narcotics were reportedly meant to be carted off to Mozambique.

"The total number of tablets are estimated to be about 2 crore in numbers with a weight of about 23.5 metric tonnes. The international market value of seized tablets is estimated to be over Rs 3,000 crore," Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) chairperson Najib Shah said.

The DRI, which is the CBEC's investigative body, has previously hauled 540 kg heroin, 7,409 kg of ephedrine and other narcotics, but the current seizure is the biggest ever.

"We have arrested the mastermind and efforts are underway to nab others involved with the drug syndicate," he said.

Some media channels referred to Subhas Dudhani, the supposed mastermind who owns businesses and properties in Mumbai and has produced movies, as a "don."

"The consignment was manufactured in Rajasthan and consigned for Mozambique or South Africa," he said.

The operation was carried out with the Border Security Force (BSF).

The drug Mandrax is also known as M-Pills, buttons or smarties. It is smoked with cannabis and is used as a recreational drug in Africa and Asia.