Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 16 kg of Mephedrone, a psychotropic substance, and 1.93 crore rupees cash in a case of smuggling. Five persons have been arrested in the case under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985.

Based on specific intelligence that Mephedrone was being smuggled from Hyderabad to Mumbai in substantial quantity by two passengers in a bus, officers mounted surveillance overnight and intercepted both passengers in the early hours of Tuesday. A search of their baggage resulted in the recovery of 16 kg of white powdered substance purported to be Mephedrone. Preliminary testing confirmed the same.

In subsequent follow-up actions, 3 middlemen and receivers were also apprehended in Mumbai. Cash worth 1.93 crore rupees was also recovered in a follow-up search.