Gujarat ATS Uncovers International Drug Syndicate with Malaysian Connection
The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has made a significant breakthrough in an international drug smuggling case, seizing an additional 9 kilograms of the banned psychotropic substance etomidate on Wednesday. This latest haul has exposed the involvement of a Malaysian national in a sophisticated export racket that spans multiple countries.
Follow-Up Searches Yield Fresh Seizures
According to police officials, the new seizures resulted from intensive follow-up searches conducted after the arrest of key suspects earlier this week. During these operations, investigators recovered 4 kilograms of etomidate from a logistics hub operated by a courier company. The parcel was intended for air cargo shipment on March 2 by one of the accused, Nikunj Gadhiya, through a firm named DSUN Chemicals and Pharma.
Investigators revealed that DSUN Chemicals and Pharma was not registered in Gadhiya's name, raising suspicions about its legitimacy. The consignment was mislabelled as aloe vera powder in a deliberate attempt to evade customs scrutiny and was allegedly destined for a key cartel member identified as Malaysian national Chua Zhi Xuan.
Forged Documents and Fake Invoices Used
ATS officers detailed that the accused employed forged export declarations and fake invoices to ship the banned substance to Southeast Asian nations. This method allowed them to bypass regulatory checks and facilitate the illegal trade. Earlier in the investigation, the ATS had seized 5 kilograms of etomidate active pharmaceutical ingredient from the premises of Rudra Enterprises in Surat, a firm registered in the name of another accused, Chetan Vavadiya, who was arrested previously in connection with the racket.
Broader International Syndicate Uncovered
These seizures are part of a wider probe into an international syndicate that allegedly smuggled etomidate from India by disguising it as herbal or cosmetic raw materials. In a prior operation, the ATS intercepted 30 kilograms of etomidate from a logistics hub where the package was awaiting customs clearance. Additionally, authorities in Thailand seized 15 kilograms of the substance linked to the same network, highlighting the transnational scope of the racket.
The racket first came to light after investigators discovered that parcels containing etomidate powder were shipped from Mumbai air cargo facilities to destinations such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore using false declarations. Officers noted that the drug commands high prices in Southeast Asian markets, where it is classified as a controlled psychotropic substance, making it a lucrative target for smugglers.
Coordination with Central and Foreign Agencies
The ATS has been actively coordinating with central agencies and foreign law enforcement authorities to trace the overseas handlers and unravel the financial trail behind the syndicate. This collaborative effort aims to dismantle the entire network and prevent further illegal activities. The involvement of a Malaysian national underscores the complex, cross-border nature of the operation, requiring international cooperation for effective crackdown.
As the investigation continues, authorities are focusing on identifying all individuals involved and strengthening measures to combat such sophisticated drug smuggling attempts in the future.
