Rented House Turned Drug Factory: Joint DRI Raid Busts Secret MD Lab in Ankleshwar

In a major blow to illegal narcotics networks operating out of Gujarat, joint teams from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) from Surat and Delhi have unearthed a clandestine synthetic drug lab running inside a residential house in Gadkhol village, on the outskirts of Ankleshwar in Bharuch district.

The high-stakes raid took place less than 24 hours after Union Home Minister Amit Shah presided over the public destruction of narcotics worth hundreds of crores of rupees, underlining the persistent challenge law enforcement agencies face in cutting off raw chemical pipelines in the region.

Secret Lab in Rented House

Acting on precise intelligence, investigative teams swooped on a property in the Bhavna Farm Society, discovering an elaborate setup designed to manufacture mephedrone (commonly known as MD) on an industrial scale.

Inside the rented residence, officers discovered five to seven distinct industrial chemicals, white powders, and extensive raw materials. Sources close to the investigation revealed that the premises had been quietly converted into a makeshift laboratory, complete with processing gear designed to turn precursor compounds into finished contraband.

"The sheer volume of chemical precursors found inside a standard residential footprint points to a well-funded syndicate," a senior official associated with the probe indicated. Forensic teams and DRI officers are currently conducting chemical assays, measurements, and inventory checks to calculate the exact weight and street market value of the seized substances, which estimates suggest run into crores of rupees.

Covert Operation Following Week-Long Vigil

The swoop was not an impulse action but the culmination of nearly a week of round-the-clock surveillance by undercover DRI personnel. Surveillance teams kept a close watch on movement around the Gadkhol house after preliminary intelligence flagged suspicious deliveries of sealed drums and late-night vehicular activity.

The property was being occupied by migrant tenants who maintained a low profile, blending into the surrounding industrial belt. Following the breakthrough, local police teams were rushed to the spot to secure the perimeter. The DRI is expected to formally seal the property as sampling continues under judicial oversight.

Tenant Verification Under Scanner as Probe Expands

The discovery has raised severe questions regarding local vigilance and intelligence gathering in Ankleshwar, one of western India’s busiest chemical manufacturing hubs. That a full-fledged synthetic drug processing unit was operating in a densely populated residential neighborhood without drawing suspicion has alarmed district authorities.

Investigators have launched a multi-pronged inquiry focusing on two crucial tracks:

• The Supply Pipeline: Tracing the exact commercial sources of the precursor chemicals to identify if legitimate chemical units in the industrial estate were illegally diverting raw materials.
• Local Compliance: Investigating whether the property owner complied with mandatory tenant verification protocols and officially registered the lease agreement with the local police station.

The DRI is expected to issue a formal statement detailing the precise composition of the seized contraband, total valuations, and primary arrests once initial questioning and forensic test reports are finalized.