Gujarat SMC busts hydro weed racket near Shela-Bopal, drugs worth ₹15 lakh seized

The State Monitoring Cell (SMC) of the Gujarat Police carried out an NDPS raid near Applewoods Villas on the Shela-Bopal Road in Ahmedabad on December 29, arresting three persons and seizing hydro weed worth ₹15.12 lakh, along with vehicles, mobile phones and cash, officials said.

The raid was conducted under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, with offences registered under sections at the State Monitoring Cell Police Station.

According to police, a total of 432 grams of hydro weed was recovered during the operation. In addition to the narcotic substance, officers seized three mobile phones worth ₹1.10 lakh, one Activa scooter valued at ₹50,000, and cash amounting to ₹8,070. The total value of the seized muddamal is estimated at ₹16.80 lakh.

The three arrested accused have been identified as Ravi Babubhai Markna, a resident of Vastrapur; Darshan Narendrabhai Parekh, a resident of Judges Bungalow Road; and Rahul Swarupsinh Bhadoriya, a resident of Adalaj.

Police said investigations revealed the involvement of a wider supply network, and two more accused are currently absconding. The wanted persons have been identified as Chinmay alias Lalo Soni, a resident of South Bopal, who is described as a partner of the hydro weed supplier, and Archit Agrawal, a resident of Shela-Bopal Road, who is believed to be the main supplier of the contraband.

Officials said the accused are being questioned to trace the source of the drugs and the intended distribution channels. Further investigation is underway to apprehend the absconding suspects and establish backwards and forward linkages in the case.