New Delhi:

In a significant move, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) of India launched a massive operation under ‘Operation Sagar Manthan’ to dismantle the large-scale drug cartel activities of wanted smuggler Haji Salim, also known as “Lord of Drugs.”

According to officials, the operation was launched on the directions of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to track down Haji Salim aka Haji Baloch and his trafficking syndicate spread worldwide. As part of this operation, authorities have seized nearly 4,000 kilograms of illicit drugs linked directly to Salim’s cartel, with several Pakistani nationals arrested in connection with the haul.

The criminal network of Haji Salim is suspected to be responsible for a massive drug pipeline spanning multiple countries, from Pakistan to India and beyond, officials said.

Speaking to ANI, Deputy Director General of Narcotics Control Bureau, Gyaneshwar Singh, said, “Haji Salim is one of the biggest drug traffickers in the world, who supplies large shipments of heroin, methamphetamine, and other illegal narcotics through a complex network that spans across Asia, Africa, and the West. He has a very big network. He has been on our radar for a long time but in this case, I would not like to comment on Haji Salim’s name or anyone else’s name because the investigation is still at a very initial stage.”

Salim is allegedly the leader of a massive smuggling syndicate responsible for trafficking large quantities of narcotics across several countries, including India, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Multiple international law enforcement agencies including those in the United States, Malaysia, Iran, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, New Zealand, and Afghanistan are on the lookout for him.

“He is one of the most wanted drug kingpins in the Indian Ocean region. His operations are vast, and the scale of his trafficking syndicate is unparalleled,” he said.

“Salim’s network is linked to narco-terrorism activities that destabilize the region. His drugs are not only a menace to society but also fund terror operations across borders,” added Singh.

According to officials, the drug syndicate of Haji Salim was first unearthed in 2015 when a massive consignment of drugs worth several crores was intercepted near the coast of Kerala.

Following this, NCB officials seized drugs worth an estimated Rs 40,000 crores in the past two and a half years alone. Despite the arrests and confiscations, Salim continued his operations illegally which earned him the nickname “Raktbeej” in the global drug trade, they said.

One of the key tactics used by Salim’s syndicate is the smuggling of drugs through the sea, often using specially marked shipments to identify his cargo. Drugs bearing markings such as 777, 555, 999, flying horses, and scorpions have been consistently found on seized shipments, marking them as belonging to Salim’s network.

According to intelligence sources, Salim’s shipments often originate from Iran, passing through Afghanistan and Malaysia, before reaching Sri Lanka. The drugs are then transferred to smaller vessels that transport the narcotics to the Indian coastline mostly at night, landing at obscure ports and beach locations.

Authorities claim that Haji Salim has a close connection with fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim, as he was allegedly seen entering and leaving Dawood’s mansion. The authorities have no other information except for an old photograph and an address in Karachi, Pakistan, allegedly near Ibrahim’s hideout, the sources said.

As per NCB sources, intelligence reports suggested that ISI has provided Salim with satellite phones, to stay in constant touch with his agents at sea. Official sources also claim that Salim employs unemployed youth from Balochistan to carry out smuggling operations.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi/Bhopal:

In a major crackdown, a joint operation by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Gujarat has uncovered a massive drug manufacturing racket in Bagroda Industrial Area, near Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

Officials recovered mephedrone (MD) drugs worth approximately Rs 1,800 crore during the raid, which is being described as one of the biggest seizures of its kind.

The operation, which is still going on, took place inside a factory operating within a shed measuring around 2,500 square yards. Gujarat ATS officials, arriving in vehicles without number plates, carried out the raid in collaboration with the NCB. Two individuals, identified as key suspects, have been arrested.

Preliminary interrogation revealed that Sanyal Prakash Bane was previously arrested in 2017 in a similar MD drug case by the police in Amboli in Mumbai. After serving five years in prison, he teamed up with Amit Chaturvedi to set up an illegal drug manufacturing operation.

The duo rented a shed in Bagroda Industrial Area six-seven months ago, where they began acquiring raw material and equipment to produce mephedrone, a banned synthetic drug.

The factory, which was found producing 25 kg of MD per day, had become a major hub for illegal drug manufacturing. During the raid, authorities seized 907 kg of mephedrone, along with 5,000 kg of raw material and drug-making equipment.

The confiscated items included grinders, motors, glass flasks, heaters, and other apparatus used in the chemical processing of drugs.

This is the largest illegal drug manufacturing unit caught by the ATS Gujarat to date, officials said. The factory had the capacity to supply large quantities of mephedrone, which was likely distributed across various regions.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the full extent of the operation. They are probing how long the accused were involved in this illegal activity, where the drugs were being sold, and the financial transactions involved.

Officials are also working to identify other members of this drug ring who may have facilitated or participated in the distribution of the illegal drugs.

Further details are expected as the investigation continues. Authorities are determined to uncover all aspects of this extensive drug operation, which could have had far-reaching impacts across the country.

Sumaya Hatungimana, 12, shows the marks on her hands after recovering from Mpox, outside her house in Kinama zone, in Bujumbura, Burundi, on August 28, 2024
| Photo Credit: Reuters

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday, August 29, 2024, it urges rapid access to diagnostic tests for mpox and is calling on manufacturers to submit their products for emergency review.

The agency is seeking submissions for Emergency Use Listing from manufacturers. Through this procedure, WHO can approve medical products such as vaccines, tests and treatments for emergency use.

WHO declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following an outbreak of the viral infection in Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to neighboring countries.

With as many as 1,000 suspected cases reported in the Congo alone this week, the need for diagnostic tests has surged dramatically, WHO said.

Manufacturers of in vitro diagnostics have been asked to provide available data on the quality, safety and performance of the tests to the WHO as soon as possible.

Sydney:

A New Zealand charity apologised on Wednesday for distributing dozens of pineapple-flavoured candies that were found to be laced with potentially lethal amounts of methamphetamine.

The Auckland City Mission, that donates parcels of essentials to New Zealanders who cannot afford food, said it first became aware of the issue on Tuesday afternoon when some recipients complained about the foul-tasting candies.

Three people – a child, a teenager and a charity worker – sought medical treatment after tasting the boiled sweets, though none are currently in hospital, Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin from Auckland police told reporters.

There was no suggestion of wrongdoing by the charity, he added.

“To say we are devastated is an understatement,” the Mission said in a statement.

The candy, which was donated by an unknown member of the public, was tested by the New Zealand Drug Foundation charity, which found they contained a potentially lethal 3 grams (0.1 oz)of methamphetamine.

“A common dose to swallow is between 10-25mg, so this contaminated lolly contained up to 300 doses,” said foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm.

Police believed the candies were the by product of an international drug trafficking operation and have called for them to be handed them over to the authorities. They are also investigating how the candies entered the country, Baldwin said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

This waiver follows a series of progressive decisions by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission when it comes to veterinary research, the press release said. File photograph used for representational purposes only

In a significant move, the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has waived off the Target Animal Batch Safety Test (TABST) in the Indian Pharmacopoeia, effective July 1, 2024.

The TABST, a non-specific safety test for veterinary vaccines, typically involves the administration of vaccine overdoses to animals to test that every batch of vaccine produced is safe for a specific species. However, multiple studies have proved that the method lacks specificity and is prone to producing false results. The IPC’s decision to waive the TABST will reduce the number of animals subjected to unnecessary testing and underscores the supportive atmosphere of the regulators and industry to steer away from obsolete animal-based testing, a press release from Humane Society International/India, said.

By recognizing the shortfalls of the TABST and allowing the test to be waived, India is a step closer to aligning itself with international veterinary vaccine testing standards, joining Brazil, Europe, Canada, the US, Japan, and others, as per the press release.

Alokparna Sengupta, managing director at Humane Society International/India said: “We are delighted at the recent waiver of the TABST. This reaffirms India’s commitment towards eliminating obsolete animal tests for batch release testing of vaccines.”

This waiver follows a series of progressive decisions by the IPC. Back in 2018, the Rabbit Pyrogen Test was replaced with the Bacterial Endotoxin Test (BET), followed by the inclusion of the Monocyte Activation Test in 2018 and removal of the Abnormal Toxicity Test for almost all human vaccines in 2020 from Indian Pharmacopoeia monographs.

Over the last five years, HSI/India’s Research & Toxicology department has been working with the Government of India, the veterinary industry and associated interest holders to promote the development and use of advanced non-animal methodologies, the press release said.

Porbandar:

The Indian Coast Guard today intercepted a suspicious Pakistani boat that had nearly 86 kg of drugs worth Rs 600 crore. Acting on intelligence, the Coast Guard along with the Anti-terrorism Squad (ATS) and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), launched a crackdown on the drug trafficking syndicate operating in the region.

Along with the drugs, 14 crew members from the Pakistani vessel were also detained.

“In a breathtaking overnight operation, the Indian Coast Guard undertook an intelligence-based anti-narcotics operation at sea. Approx 86 kg of narcotics worth Rs 600 crore has been apprehended along with 14 crew from the Pakistani boat,” the Coast Guard said in a press release.

The agency deployed ships and aircraft on concurrent missions to ensure the efficiency of the operation. One of the key vessels involved in the operation was the Coast Guard ship Rajratan, which had officials from both the NCB and ATS on board.

Despite attempts by the suspected drug-laden boat to evade capture, the vigilant ship successfully identified and intercepted it. A specialized team from the ship conducted a thorough search, confirming the presence of drugs onboard.

“No amount of evasive manoeuvring tactics employed by the drug laden boat could save it from the swift and strong ICG ship Rajratan. Ship’s specialist team embarked the suspect boat and after thorough checks, confirmed the presence of the sizeable amount narcotics,” Coast Guard said.

Anti #Narco#Operations@IndiaCoastGuard Ship Rajratan with #ATS#Gujarat & #NCB@narcoticsbureau in an overnight sea – air coordinated joint ops apprehends #Pakistani boat in Arabian Sea, West of #Porbandar with 14 Pak crew & @86 Kg contraband worth approx ₹ 600Cr in… pic.twitter.com/N49LfrYLzz

— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) April 28, 2024

The seized Pakistani boat, along with its crew, is being brought to Porbandar for further investigation.

New Delhi:

In a significant development in the murder case of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Vikas Bagga in Punjab’s Nangal, police have unearthed a plot involving Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI.

Vikas Bagga, the president of VHP’s Nangal unit, was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen at his shop near the Rupnagar railway station on Saturday evening. The police have arrested two suspects, Mandeep Kumar and Surendra Kumar, in connection with the murder.

Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav on Tuesday said the Rupnagar police and State Special Operation Cell solved the murder case of Vikas in less than three days.

“In a major breakthrough, Rupnagar Police in a joint operation with SSOC #Mohali, has solved the Vikas Murder Case in less than 3 days with the arrest of 2 operatives of a terror module backed by #Pakistan based terrorist masterminds,” the DCP said in a post on X.

The investigation has revealed a chilling nexus between ISI and some unemployed youth in Punjab. ISI has been reportedly luring unemployed people with money and drugs, recruiting them as sleeper cells to carry out targeted killings in Punjab.

A resident of Nava Shehar in Punjab, who had recently traveled to Portugal in search of employment, was recruited by ISI for the task. He was promised a job but was instead trapped by ISI operatives. He was assigned the task of targeting drug-addicted youth in Punjab and orchestrating their killings.

The police have also discovered that the shooters involved in Vikas Bagga’s murder were paid Rs 70,000 for the assassination. The order for the attack reportedly came from ISI operatives based in Portugal.

The masterminds behind these operations are believed to be associated with Babbar Khalsa International, a terrorist group based in Pakistan.

Drug addicts are often on the radar of criminal groups. One of the accused in the Sidhu Moosewala murder case was a drug accused who shot the popular Punjabi singer for a few thousand rupees.

Abbott India informed drug controller Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation of the voluntary recall of Digene Gell and stopped production of all variants of the product manufactured at their Goa facility. Photo: digeneindia.com

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has alerted healthcare professionals, consumers, patients, wholesalers, distributors, and regulatory authorities about the voluntary recall of Abbott India’s popular antacid syrup Digene Gel, manufactured at its Goa facility.

The public notice issued by the apex drug controller on its website said: “The impugned product may be unsafe and its use may result in adverse reaction.”

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), who heads the CDSCO, also advised the doctors and healthcare professionals to carefully prescribe and educate their patients to discontinue the use and to report any adverse drug reactions arising due to consumption of Digene Gel.

“Healthcare professionals should promptly report any suspicious cases of adverse events linked to this product,” the DCGI stated in the letter.

The drug controller’s notice said the company initially withdrew one batch of its product available in mint flavour and four batches in orange flavour after receiving a complaint about a product that was white, had bitter taste and pungent smell early August. Within a week the company recalled all batches of its Digene syrup sold in mint, orange, and mixed-fruit flavours manufactured at its Goa facility.

CDSCO said it was reported on August 9 that one bottle of Digene Gel Mint Flavour used by customers was of regular taste (sweet) and light pink colour whereas another bottle of the same batch was of white colour with bitter taste and pungent odour as per the complaint.

Abbott India Limited informed the drug controller of the voluntary product recall and voluntarily stopped production of all variants of Digene Gel manufactured at their Goa facility.

CDSCO also urged distributors and users to discontinue the use of Digene Gel manufactured at the Goa facility while stating that there is no need to panic.

The drug is known to relieve acidity and its symptoms such as heartburn, stomach discomfort, abdominal pain and gas. It can be prescribed for gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining) and acid reflux (a condition where stomach acid flows back to the food pipe). It uses basic compounds like magnesium hydroxide to neutralise the stomach acid.

Abbott spokesperson on Wednesday noted that the company had voluntarily recalled the antacid medicine manufactured at Goa site due to isolated customer complaints on taste and odour. 

“There have been no reports of patient health concerns. Other forms of Digene, such as tablets and stick packs are not impacted and Digene Gel manufactured at our other production site is not affected and continues to be available in sufficient quantities to meet current demand. The other production site is in Baddi,” the spokesperson added.

Actor Sonu Sood has taken a strong stand against drugs abuse in Punjab. In a video released by the Director General of Punjab Police on X (formerly known as Twitter), the actor urges everyone to help in eradicating drugs abuse from the state.

“Punjab has always been known for its spirited youth. But for quite some time now, I have been observing that people say use of drugs has increased in Punjab. The new generation, our youth, seems to be greatly affected by drugs. Even when I personally visit Moga or various parts of Punjab, I see that many people, especially the youth, are trapped in drug addiction. Due to drugs, crime has increased as they need money to buy it,” Mr Sood says in the video.

He recalls he once ran a campaign to rescue around 280 children who were under the influence of drugs. He says he had also tried to support them in returning to a drug-free life.

“But back then, we [Sonu Sood and his team] couldn’t reach a lot of people who needed help. To help them, the Punjab government, our honourable Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann bhaji (brother), and our DGP Yadav ji have taken an excellent initiative. Their efforts to make Punjab drug-free have been remarkable. I urge everyone to support this cause. Let’s unite and make Punjab a drug-free state. This can only happen when we all come together and support this campaign,” he continues.

“Let’s work together to make Punjab drug-free, and let the land of Punjab be known once again for its youth. I salute the efforts of the Punjab government and the entire police force for their dedication. Keep this initiative going, and together, we will bring Punjab back to the top,” he adds.

The text attached to the clip read, “Thank you, Sonu Sood, for the motivational message. Punjab Police is working tirelessly to break the backbone of drugs. Very soon our collective efforts will help eradicate drugs from Punjab under the vision of chief minister Bhagwant Mann.”

Thank you @SonuSood for the motivational message. @PunjabPoliceInd is working tirelessly to break the backbone of drugs.

Very soon our collective efforts will help eradicate drugs from #Punjab under the vision of CM @BhagwantMann#PunjabFightsDrugspic.twitter.com/SRc7EmdGR6

— DGP Punjab Police (@DGPPunjabPolice) September 3, 2023

Last month, Punjab Police seized 77 kg of heroin from four people allegedly involved in a trans-border drug smuggling racket.