Gujarat ATS, Rajasthan Police bust MD drug factory in Jodhpur, 40kg synthetic drugs seized, 6 held

In a major cross-state operation, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), in coordination with the Rajasthan Police, has unearthed a clandestine factory manufacturing MD (mephedrone) in Jodhpur district and seized nearly 40 litres of liquid MD along with 17kg of MD in powder form.

Six suspects, including the alleged mastermind Monu Paramanand Oza, have been arrested.

The raid was conducted in the early hours near Sointara village in Jodhpur rural, after Gujarat ATS received intelligence inputs that Oza, wanted in a separate Gujarat narcotics case, had taken shelter in Rajasthan.

Tip-off leads ATS to a hidden drug unit on farmland

According to officials, teams led by ACP S L Chaudhary had been tracking Oza’s movements for several days. Surveillance indicated that he was operating from the outskirts of Sointara village. Acting on this, multiple ATS teams travelled to Rajasthan and coordinated with local police.

When officers reached the identified location, a remote agricultural field, they found a makeshift shed concealed within the farmland of Govind Singh Chauhan. Inside, officers discovered a fully functional drug manufacturing unit.

“Oza had set up a small chemical laboratory inside the shed and was operating it as a full-fledged MD manufacturing unit,” an officer said. During the search, the teams seized, 

35–40 litres of liquid MD, 17kg of MD in powder form and  large quantities of raw materials and chemical equipment. Both the hard and liquid forms of the synthetic drug were packed and ready for distribution across Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, investigators said.

Accused learnt to manufacture drugs through online videos

Police said Oza had no formal training in chemical processes. He allegedly learnt to manufacture synthetic drugs by watching online tutorial videos, initially producing batches of around 200 grams, before gradually scaling operations to a commercial level.

The drugs produced in the factory were supplied to peddlers across three states.

Investigators revealed that Oza has been previously arrested for multiple offences, including cybercrime cases. Gujarat ATS had earlier seized MD drugs worth ₹38 crore, in connection with which Oza was a wanted accused.

Joint operation results in arrests and seizures

On raiding the location, the team arrested Monu Oza and five of his associates, who were allegedly involved in both manufacturing and distribution. The Rajasthan Police have now taken over the investigation to uncover the broader network of suppliers, peddlers and potential international links.

Officials said that the scale of the operation and the chemicals recovered indicate the possibility of a larger organised narcotics network, with the likelihood of connections spilling across state borders and possibly beyond.

Investigators probing interstate, international links

Sources said that both Gujarat and Rajasthan police teams are examining whether the drug manufacturing unit was funded or supported by suppliers associated with larger interstate or international drug syndicates.

“The nexus appears wider than initially assumed. The interrogation of the arrested accused may reveal links extending outside the country,” a senior officer said.