Gujarat ATS Uncovers Major Mephedrone Manufacturing Unit in Uttar Pradesh
The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has successfully dismantled a clandestine mephedrone (MD) manufacturing facility located in the Ambedkar Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh. This operation led to the seizure of substantial quantities of drugs and precursor chemicals, revealing a sophisticated inter-state supply network with connections to Ahmedabad.
Operation Stemming from Ahmedabad Seizure
The investigation originated from a seizure on March 1, when authorities confiscated 4.6 grams of mephedrone in the Danilimda area of Ahmedabad. Following this, the ATS arrested three individuals and registered a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. During interrogations, it was discovered that the contraband was sourced from suppliers based in Uttar Pradesh.
Surveillance and Raid in Remote Village
Utilizing technical inputs and human intelligence, ATS teams tracked suspicious activities to a remote village in Ambedkar Nagar. Officials conducted nearly 12 days of surveillance, focusing on unusual movements at a poultry farm, particularly around a tin shed structure. Based on confirmed intelligence, a joint raid was executed with the Uttar Pradesh police, leading to the discovery of a fully operational laboratory manufacturing mephedrone.
Arrests and Seizures
Two individuals were detained at the site: Kapildev Sharma (31), a Class 12 pass, and Ramshankar Parshuram (30), a Class 10 pass, both residents of Churvanpur village in Ambedkar Nagar. The raid resulted in the seizure of:
- 6 kg of finished mephedrone
- 50 kg of liquid MD
- 88 kg of 2-bromo-4-methyl propiophenone, a precursor recently classified as a controlled substance under the NDPS Act
- Approximately 200 kg of other raw materials and chemicals used in drug production
Inter-State Supply Network Exposed
Preliminary investigations indicate that the accused established the unit in a secluded rural area to evade detection. They were supplying drugs to multiple states, including Gujarat, highlighting a broader inter-state distribution network. Further investigation is underway to identify additional links and distribution channels.
This bust underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking and manufacturing activities across state borders.
