Under ED lens: 22 de-addiction centres run by Punjab doctor that 'sold pills in open market', Pg1.

Key Highlights:

• The Punjab government capped private drug de-addiction centers to a maximum of five per entity to increase transparency.
• 22 private de-addiction centers run by Dr. Amit Bansal are under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for alleged irregularities.
• Allegations include fake patient admissions, excess drug procurement, and illegal sale of medicines in the open market.
• Rohit Sharma, a former Customs inspector, was arrested for involvement in an international drug cartel smuggling hydroponic marijuana.
• Over 21 kg of hydroponic marijuana, valued at Rs 27.24 crore, was seized from Sharma.
• The drug cartel operated between India, Thailand, and the UAE, using air routes via Guwahati.

Detailed Insights:

• The private de-addiction centers under scrutiny emerged around 2015-2016 following rules established in 2011.
• Unlike government-run centers that provide free medication, private centers were authorized to charge Rs 40 per pill.
• Dr. Bansal's centers allegedly sold the drugs illegally instead of dispensing them to patients.
• Rohit Sharma was previously arrested in 2019 for gold smuggling while posted at Kannur airport and dismissed from service in 2023.
• The drug cartel smuggled marijuana disguised as food items, utilizing low-traffic airports and corrupt Customs officials.
• Proceeds from drug sales were converted to cryptocurrency (USDT) and transferred to Dubai via hawala channels to conceal the money trail.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Enforcement Directorate (ED): A law enforcement agency responsible for combating economic crimes.
• NDPS Act: The primary legislation in India for drug control and combating drug trafficking.
• Hawala: An informal system of transferring money without physical movement, often used for illicit transactions.