NCB unearths conspiracy to manufacture contraband drugs

Kolkata, Nov 16 (UNI) The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) today claimed to have unearthed an international conspiracy to manufacture contraband drugs worth about Rs 300 crore in the country following seizure of a "self-contained synthetic drug laboratory" in a container in the Kolkata port area.

The container, with white coloured powder and assorted sophisticated laboratory apparatus, came from China.

Two persons - Vincent Chang alias Chang Xug Song and Michel Suanpu - arrested in this connection, had been remanded to judicial custody, NCB Regional Director Sanjib Mittal told reporters.

" Timely intervention by NCB has led to the busting of a criminal conspiracy to manufacture synthetic drugs in India. They were planning to set up this laboratory in Mizoram, but due to technical reasons they shifted the site to Delhi, " he said.

Mr Mittal said following an intelligence tip-off, NCB officers conducted a night long raid on November 14 on the Freight station of Balmer Lawrie and Co, where the container that came from Huang Pu port of China, had been lying for about two months.

Simultaneous raids were also carried out in Mumbai and Chennai port areas, he said.

On examination, the container was found to have contained white coloured powder substance packed in different ploythene bags and barrels along with assorted sophisticated laboratroy apparatus, required to manufacture synthetic drugs.

However, the item declared in the bill of entry was described as washing powder making machines and equipment.

" Investigations revealed that the container is actually a typical example of Self-contained Synthetic Drugs Mobile Laboratroy.

A conservative estimate indicates that the material and the equipment is capable of producting synthtic drugs having international street value of Rs. 300 crore, " Mr Mittal said.

NCB was conducting further investigation into the incident while its counterparts in China were also carrying out a separate probe, Mr Mittal said.

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