Investigations into the Delhi-based multi-crore international synthetic drug racket have pegged the international market value of synthetic drugs and precursor chemicals smuggled into Canada through three consignments at Rs.800 crores. Acting on the disclosures made by arrested Delhi-based drug racket kingpin Dev Behl and his associates Rakesh Tinku and Mohinder, the Punjab Police today recovered 50 kgs precursor chemical pseudoephedrine worth Rs.50 crores in the international market.Disclosing this here today, Mr. Hardyal Singh Mann, SSP, Patiala informed that investigations have revealed that Dev Behl, the kingpin of this Delhi-based international drug racket was a ruthless operator who obtained his raw materials, including precursor chemicals ephedrine and pseudoephedrine from India, processed them in factories located in HP, Delhi and other states and smuggled them to Canada. He revealed that the primary recipient of the contraband consignments has been identified as one Iqbal Singh @ Pala, based in Toronto, Canada. Dev Behl was a big-time trafficker and his consignments to Canada weighed in hundred of kilograms. For instance, one particular consignment of ICE (M-amphetamine) was of exactly 100 kgs especially manufactured on order-it’s worth in the international market was a staggering Rs.500 crores , he added.
Mr. Mann said that the interrogation of Dev Behl has revealed that he operated in tandem with one Ravi Shankar and the duo jointly manufactured synthetic drugs in a factory in Baddi. Ravi Shankar decided to shift his operations to North America, sold out his share to Dev Behl who became sole owner, and started operating in Canada and US. Ravi Shankar started drug smuggling from Canada to the US on a very large scale. He soon became embroiled in the drug wars which are common in Canada and the US as his quick rise attracted enemies in the drug trade.According to Dev Behl, Ravi Shankar was arrested in the United States on charges of murder and subsequently, his involvement in the drug trade was also revealed, he added.
The SSP said that according to the questioning of the arrested persons, this Delhi-based racket used all available means for luring international clients. Dev Behl reportedly used women to win over contacts in the Canadian drug underworld.He further said that the arrested persons were produced before the competent court which has granted 3 days police remand up to December 9, 2013 which would be used for further custodial interrogation of the accused. Cross-verification of the disclosures made by the accused persons was being made. Raids were being conducted to arrest persons who have figured in this Delhi-based multi-crore international synthetic drug racket and police parties have been dispatched to different states for effecting more seizures. Further investigations are ongoing.