Mumbai: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence have arrested businessmen for allegedly attempting to smuggle two lakh Tramadol tablets concealed in a pharmaceutical export consignment destined for Nigeria.The DRI arrested Bhargude Vilas Sadashiv (55) of Pune and Amit Kumar Upadhyay (49) of Mira Road and have charged them under various provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.Based on the intelligence, the DRI intercepted a consignment booked by Vipra Pharmaceuticals which was being used to smuggle psychotropic substances to Lagos, Nigeria. The shipment had been declared as Pregabalin Capsules 300 mg.Acting on the tip-off, DRI officers intercepted the four-package consignment at the Air Cargo Complex, Mumbai on Tuesday and during examination, officials allegedly recovered 1,00,000 Tapentadol/Tramadol 200 mg tablets and 1,00,000 Tramadol Hydrochloride 250 mg tablets, all classified as psychotropic substances under the NDPS Act.According to the DRI, Bhargude, in his statement recorded under Section 67 of the NDPS Act, allegedly admitted that he and co-accused, Upadhyay, had arranged the buy, financing, packing, transportation, customs clearance and overseas buyer for the consignment. Upadhyay allegedly admitted that he had been dealing in Tramadol even before it came under the NDPS Act in 2018 and was aware of the legal consequences.Investigators said the probe is at a preliminary stage and the custodial interrogation of both accused is necessary to identify other members of the alleged smuggling network, trace the source of the drugs and uncover the intended overseas recipients.
