DRI seizes 'fighter' drug 'popular' among IS terrorists from

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) today seized a huge cache of Tramadol drug from a factory in Gujarat's Valsad district which officials said is popular among IS terrorists in the Middle East as a "fighter drug", and arrested two partners of the firm.

The agency said Tramadol is also popular in some African countries like Nigeria and Ghana.

The raid was conducted at a pharmaceutical firm located in Sarigam village after the DRI's Ahmedabad zonal unit received inputs about the illegal manufacture of the drug, which is banned under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

During the raid, DRI officials found out that the factory was being used for massive production of banned psychotropic drugs, the DRI said in a statement.

Two partners of the said firm were also arrested, it said.

The DRI seized 6.7 crore Tramadol tablets as well as capsules which were ready for dispatch. In addition, over two tonnes of loose Tramadol tablets and 870 kgs of raw material was also seized, it said.

Tramadol is a synthetic opioid drug which is in demand in Nigeria and Ghana where a large section of population is addicted to this drug as its consumption generates euphoria, DRI said.

"Tramadol drug is reportedly also very popular among ISIS terrorists in the war-zones of the Middle East. ISIS fighters use this drug to overcome pain and fatigue. That is why it is sometimes called as Fighter Drug," the agency stated.

Tramadol was brought under the NDPS Act in April 2018 given its wide misuse, the DRI said, adding that further investigation is on.