New Delhi/Bhopal: In a significant crackdown, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Gujarat’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) jointly dismantled a large-scale drug manufacturing operation in the Bagroda Industrial Area near Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Authorities confiscated mephedrone (MD) drugs valued at approximately ₹1,800 crore, marking one of the most substantial drug seizures to date.
The ongoing operation targeted a factory housed within a 2,500 square yard shed. Gujarat ATS officials, arriving in unmarked vehicles, conducted the raid in collaboration with the NCB, resulting in the arrest of two primary suspects.
Initial investigations revealed that Sanyal Prakash Bane, previously apprehended in 2017 for a similar MD-related offense in Amboli, Mumbai, had partnered with Amit Chaturvedi after serving a five-year prison term. Together, they established an illicit drug production facility by renting a shed in the Bagroda Industrial Area six to seven months ago. Here, they procured raw materials and equipment essential for synthesizing mephedrone, a prohibited synthetic drug.
The facility was reportedly producing up to 25 kg of MD daily, transforming it into a significant hub for illegal drug manufacturing. During the raid, authorities seized 907 kg of mephedrone, alongside 5,000 kg of raw materials and various drug-production apparatuses, including grinders, motors, glass flasks, and heaters.
Officials highlighted that this was the largest illegal drug manufacturing unit intercepted by Gujarat’s ATS to date. The operation had the capacity to distribute substantial quantities of mephedrone across multiple regions.
The investigation remains active as authorities strive to uncover the full scope of the operation. Efforts are focused on determining the duration of the suspects’ involvement in the illegal trade, identifying distribution networks, and tracing financial transactions related to the drug manufacturing and sales.
