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New Delhi, 30th September: A hated American chemist is preparing a chemical capable of killing at least 5 million people. As part of a major operation, the Revenue Intelligence Directorate, with the help of a team of scientists from the Defense Research and Development Center, dismantled an illegal laboratory operating in Indore.
After the raids, the investigators recovered fentanyl, a deadly opioid, capable of killing more than 5 million people.
The chemical has been seized for the first time in India, which has caused a serious safety problem because it can be used extensively in chemical warfare. The lab was run by a local businessman and a chemist, known for his hatred of the United States. A Mexican national was also arrested in connection with the case.
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Security officials raised the level of threat to a high level following this discovery. Currently, the purpose of the manufacture of this substance is being examined. This is a major operation and seizure made by the DRI, considering that the agency has successfully thwarted the manufacture of this drug in India.
The agencies are also looking at the routes used to source the chemical precursor 4ANPP, which is used to prepare fentanyl. Cases in the past have shown that 4ANPP is smuggled from China. Other investigations in this regard are ongoing.
What is fentanyl?
Fentanyl (also spelled fentanil) is an opioid used as an analgesic and in combination with other drugs for anesthesia. Fentanyl is also illegally manufactured and used as a recreational drug, often mixed with heroin or cocaine. The appearance is fast and the effects usually last less than an hour or two.
Medically, fentanyl is used by injection, as a patch on the skin, nasal spray or in the mouth.
This deadly drug has been tested as a chemical weapon for several decades. In 1997, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory introduced a system for delivering less lethal doses of fentanyl.
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They designed and tested guns loaded with small felt pads soaked in a solution of fentanyl.
The Environmental Protection Agency has also raised concerns about the use of fentanyl by terrorists. The use of this drug has also been reported by Chinese, Russian and Israeli armies.
