NCB Gujarat busts interstate mephedrone syndicate, labs dismantled, key accused arrested

In a major crackdown on an interstate drug trafficking syndicate, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Ahmedabad, with active support from Rajasthan and Maharashtra Police, has unearthed and dismantled a sophisticated network involved in the illicit manufacture and supply of mephedrone (MD), a banned psychotropic substance under the NDPS Act, 1985.

The operation, which spanned across Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra, culminated in the arrest of the prime accused, Siddik Khan Mev, a resident of Hathuniya village in Pratapgarh district, Rajasthan, and the recovery of substantial quantities of chemicals, drug-making equipment, and cash proceeds from illegal drug sales.

Initial bust on Ahmedabad-Himmatnagar Highway

The investigation was triggered by a case registered by NCB Ahmedabad, which led to the seizure of 4.5 kilograms of mephedrone worth ₹4.5 crore in powder form from a vehicle near Pirojpur village, opposite Gift City, on the Ahmedabad-Himmatnagar Highway.

The consignment was traced back to Pratapgarh, Rajasthan, following which further arrests and cash recovery of ₹6 lakh were made from local suppliers in July.

Link to Rajasthan’s clandestine labs

During the interrogation of the arrested suppliers, NCB officials uncovered the existence of illegal labs manufacturing mephedrone in and around Pratapgarh. Field-level intelligence pointed to Siddik Khan Mev as a key player in the operation. A joint operation conducted on July 22 in Barmer, Rajasthan, led to the discovery of a clandestine drug lab operating out of a buffalo shed in a remote village.

Barmer Police recovered large quantities of precursor chemicals, including chloroform, ammonium chloride, propylene chloride, toluene, and bromine, along with manufacturing apparatus. The lab was found to be a vital node in the larger supply chain.

Chemicals sourced from Maharashtra

Further investigation revealed that the chemicals and equipment used to set up the illegal labs were sourced from Raigad district, Maharashtra. Acting on this information, MIDC Police in Raigad conducted a raid on July 23, seizing approximately 34 kg of powdered ketamine, 12 litres of liquid ketamine worth ₹23.5 crore, and several other lab chemicals and instruments. Four individuals were arrested during the raid.

Prime accused arrested, evidence buried to evade detection

On August 6, a coordinated operation by NCB Ahmedabad, Rajasthan Police, and Maharashtra Police resulted in the arrest of Siddik Khan Mev. It was revealed that Mev, along with his associates Birju Shukla and Ali Mohamad, was operating a clandestine mephedrone lab in an agricultural field in Hathuniya. The precursors were supplied from Mahad, Maharashtra.

In a desperate attempt to destroy evidence, Mev and his associates dismantled the lab and buried the chemical stock and equipment across three deep pits, nearly 8–10 feet underground, in a nearby farm.

Acting on precise intelligence, NCB teams used JCB machinery to excavate the hidden materials, recovering drug precursors, lab equipment, and other incriminating materials from all three locations.

Inter-state collaboration delivers a breakthrough

This operation marks a significant blow to the synthetic drug manufacturing network active across western India. The success of this case highlights the effective interstate coordination between NCB Ahmedabad, Rajasthan Police (Pratapgarh), and Maharashtra Police (Raigad) in dismantling a complex and clandestine drug syndicate.

A senior NCB official said, “This operation underscores our continued commitment to identifying and neutralising synthetic drug networks operating across state borders. We are working closely with state police and other law enforcement agencies to prevent the proliferation of such substances.”

The probe is ongoing, with further arrests likely as agencies trace the financial and logistical network of the syndicate.