LUCKNOW A special Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) court on Friday remanded two men to 14-day judicial custody in connection with the unearthing of a massive clandestine mephedrone manufacturing laboratory in Jalaun district. Meanwhile, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and the UP Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) have intensified their probe to identify the masterminds and dismantle the wider supply chain behind the syndicate.
The accused, Hemendra Kushwah, 27, a resident of Orai in Jalaun, and Santosh, 37, a native of Maharashtra, were produced before the special court following their arrest during a joint agency raid on October 29.
The investigation follows the seizure of 1,102.88 kg of drugs, semi-processed substances and precursor chemicals, collectively valued at more than ₹ 300 crore. The recovery included 15.44 kg of finished mephedrone, also known as MD, and 184 kg of semi-processed substances. A key focus of the investigation is determining whether the laboratory was part of a larger interstate drug manufacturing and trafficking syndicate or was being operated independently. Investigators are examining the role of suspected financiers, chemical suppliers and intermediaries who may have facilitated the operation.
