Hyderabad: The DRI officials arrested a former employee of a pharma firm manufacturing Psychotropic substances and drugs were seized from a private lab in IDA Jeedimetla in Hyderabad on Friday.

Acting on a tip-off, DRI officers intercepted the manufacturer and the receiver during exchange of the drugs, and seized 3.156 kg of Mephedrone worth around `63.12. Further searches were conducted at the manufacturer’s house, leading to seizure of `12.40 lakh cash and 112 grams of Mephedrone samples.

Raw materials weighing 219.5 kg were also seized. The manufacturer and his associate were arrested. According to estimates, the person has sold more than 100 kg Mephedrone in the last one year.

According to the DRI sources said a Mumbai-based network is behind the manufacturer, who holds a PhD in chemistry. They seized huge quantities of Mephedrone from the lab. Mephedrone is a synthetic stimulant drug, commonly known as Drone or Meow Meow. Its effects are similar to those of MDMA, Amphetamines and Cocaine.