Maharashtra ATS busts inter-state drug network, seizes MD worth over Rs 9 crore after raid in Noida

The Maharashtra AntiTerrorism Squad ATS has uncovered an alleged interstate drug network and seized 4738 kg of methamphetamine worth more than Rs 9 crore an official said on Wednesday reported the PTIThree people including two foreign women have been apprehended in connection with the operation in Mumbai and Greater NoidaActing on a tipoff the ATSs Kalachowki unit intercepted a suspect near a hotel in suburban Bandra on TuesdayPolice allegedly recovered 2050 kg of methamphetamine valued at around Rs 4 crore from the suspectThe suspect was subsequently questioned as part of the investigation leading officers to a suspected drug manufacturing facility in Greater Noida Uttar Pradesh the news agency reportedTwo foreign women apprehended in NoidaFollowing the information received during the investigation ATS teams conducted further action in Greater NoidaTwo foreign national women were apprehended and officers allegedly recovered another 2688 kg of methamphetamine estimated to be worth around Rs 540 crore according to the PTIThe ATS also seized materials allegedly used in the manufacture of the synthetic drugThe suspected manufacturing premises in Greater Noida have been sealed according to the officialInvestigation underwayAll three accused have been booked under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances NDPS ActThe ATS is now investigating the alleged drug network and its links across statesThe nationalities of the two foreign women and other details of the operation have not been disclosed by the authorities so far as per the PTIPolice remove 1497 structures during drugsfree Mumbai driveMeanwhileMumbai Police removed 1497 unauthorised structures and paan shops across the city in July as part of the ongoing lsquoDrugsFree Mumbairsquo campaign officials saidThe crackdown is aimed at curbing illegal drug production supply smuggling and sales with particular attention being paid to areas around schools and collegesPolice teams carried out action against unauthorised kiosks operating across different parts of MumbaiOfficials said special attention was given to illegal structures located near educational institutionsThe campaign is intended to protect young people from exposure to substance abuse and prevent drugrelated activities from taking place around schools and collegesThe highest number of structure removals was reported from the North Region and Central Region with 480 structures removed in each area police saidThe divisionwise figures for July were North Region 480 Central Region 480 South Region 199 East Region 173 West Region 165In total police removed 1497 unauthorised structures and paan shops during the monthZerotolerance approach to drugsAccording to the police the campaign was launched under the direction of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to tackle the illegal drug trade in the stateUnder the guidance of Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti police are adopting a zerotolerance approach towards narcotics trafficking and illegal saleswith PTI inputs