Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts Exclusive

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), in a joint operation titled ‘Operation Prayogshala’ with the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) on Saturday busted three clandestine drug manufacturing labs in Gujarat and Rajasthan and seized drugs worth approximately Rs 300 crore.

At least seven persons involved in the drug cartel have been apprehended and the kingpin has been identified who will soon be arrested, the NCB said.

According to the NCB, the raids are in progress at a fourth location in Amreli in Gujarat.

The police have recovered 149 kg mephedrone in powder and liquid forms, along with 50 kg Ephedrine and 200 litre of Acetone in the overnight operation.

The joint raids came after the Gujarat ATS received information from “a confidential source” regarding clandestine Mephedrone manufacturing labs operating from Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Singha added that a fourth raid is underway based on the information received during the interrogation of the seven apprehended persons in Gandhinagar. The police are also tracking and identifying the source of precursor chemicals as well as the distribution network, both national and international linkages.

Mephedrone, also known as 4-methylmethcathinone, 4-MMC, and 4-methylephedrone, is a synthetic stimulant drug of the amphetamine and cathinone classes. Slang names include drone, M-CAT, White Magic, “meow meow” and bubble.