ED Seizes Assets Worth Rs. 5.67 Crore in Major Crackdown on Illegal Tramadol Export Syndicate
(Judicial Quest News Network)
Hyderabad, 21st February 2025 – The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has provisionally attached immovable assets worth a staggering Rs. 5.67 Crore in the case of illegal Tramadol exports orchestrated by M/s Lucent Drugs Pvt. Ltd. The assets, which include valuable land, a building, and factory premises, are located in Sanga Reddy District, Telangana. This significant action is a part of the ongoing investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
The ED’s probe into this illicit operation was launched following a complaint filed by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Bangalore Zonal Unit, under Section 36A of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The complaint pointed to multiple contraventions involving the illegal export of psychotropic substances, specifically Tramadol, and the forgery of records and documents related to the export authorizations carried out by M/s Lucent Drugs Pvt. Ltd.
Investigations by the ED revealed that M/s Lucent Drugs Pvt. Ltd. was engaged in the manufacturing and unlawful export of Tramadol to overseas clients, with a focus on Pakistan. Initially, the company obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) to export Tramadol to Pakistan. However, the CBN subsequently halted all further approvals for such exports.
Despite this, the promoters and directors of M/s Lucent Drugs Pvt. Ltd. continued their illegal activities, re-exporting large quantities of Tramadol to Pakistan through foreign companies. A significant 13,800 kilograms of Tramadol, valued at approximately Rs. 4.12 Crore, was shipped via M/s CHR Olesen Pharmaceuticals, a Denmark-based firm. In another illegal transaction, 5,000 kilograms of Tramadol worth approximately Rs. 1.33 Crore was exported to Pakistan through M/s SM Biomed, a Malaysia-based company. These illegal shipments resulted in the company receiving proceeds of crime (POC) totalling approximately Rs. 5.46 Crore, which were deposited into their bank accounts.
In response to these unlawful activities, the ED has taken swift action, attaching the properties of M/s Lucent Drugs Pvt. Ltd. as part of the ongoing investigation. The attached assets, which include valuable land and factory premises, are seen as a significant step toward curbing the growing issue of illegal drug exports and ensuring that those involved in the illegal narcotics trade are held accountable.
Further investigation into the case is still underway, as the ED intensifies its efforts to uncover the full scope of the operation and bring all individuals involved to justice. This major action serves as a stark reminder of the government’s commitment to combating the illegal drug trade and ensuring that perpetrators face the full force of the law.
