Gujarat ATS Uncovers Rs 800 Crore Mephedrone Manufacturing Unit in Thane

Thane, 7th August 2024: On August 5 and 6, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) conducted major raids in Maharashtra and Gujarat, leading to significant drug seizures. In Thane district, Maharashtra, the ATS uncovered a mephedrone manufacturing unit and seized liquid mephedrone valued at Rs 800 crore. The operation led to the arrest of Mohammad Yunus Shaikh (41) and his brother Mohammad Adil Shaikh (34). The brothers had rented an apartment in Bhiwandi to produce mephedrone, with their operation nearing completion when the raid occurred.

Earlier, on July 18, the ATS had dismantled another mephedrone unit in Surat, Gujarat, confiscating drugs and raw materials worth Rs 51.4 crore. The arrests made in Surat revealed the involvement of the Shaikh brothers in the drug network.

Additionally, the ATS raided a pharmaceutical factory in Dahej, Bharuch district, Gujarat, seizing liquid Tramadol worth Rs 31 crore. The arrested individuals, Pankaj Rajput and Nikhil Kapuria were involved in producing and distributing Tramadol, a psychotropic substance regulated under the NDPS Act. Rajput, a chief chemist at the factory, and Kapuria, the owner of a chemical trading firm, were found to be sourcing raw materials and sending the prepared Tramadol to other locations for tablet production.

The investigation revealed connections between the seized Tramadol and previous seizures, including 68 lakh Tramadol tablets worth Rs 110 crore intercepted at Mundra port, Gujarat, on July 29, destined for West Africa. The tablets were linked to the same drug network.

Tramadol has recently gained notoriety as a “fighter drug,” reportedly used by ISIS fighters to prolong wakefulness.