NCB Gujarat busts MD drug manufacturing unit in South Gujarat

Gandhinagar: In an ongoing operation against drug syndicate at Vapi/ Valsad stretching more than 20 hours, NCB (Narcotic Control Bureau) Gujarat busted a ‘Clandestine psychotropic drugs Manufacturing Unit’ at Vapi which was being used for manufacturing and supplying Mephedrone (MD) to different parts of the state and other regions of the country.

NCB officials said they have arrested 2 persons red handed while delivery of the MD drug was in progress at residential premises at Vapi. A seizure of 4.5 KG of MD was made from their possession.

NCB said its teams also seized more than Eighty Five Lakh rupees of unaccounted cash from different premises belonging to the accused. The seized cash is suspected to be the illegal sale proceeds of the drugs.

The operation involved several teams of NCB Gujarat. Two masterminds namely Prakash Bhai Patel who used to manufacture the drug in clandestine factory and Sonu Ramniwas the person involved in marketing of the manufactured drug have been apprehended.

Investigation in the case is continuing. NCB said its team had been keeping watch on this cartel for last few days which resulted in this accomplishment. The case becomes very important due to busting of the manufacturing unit, a first of its kind in Gujarat, huge haul of cash and the seizure of MD in such a large quantity. The drug commands phenomenal price at the street level.

NCB will further look into the linkages of this illegal drug network. MD or Mephedrone is addictive and very popular among drug abusers. Seizure of narcotic drugs can lead to prosecution under stringent provisions of NDPS Act, which entails provisions of rigorous imprisonment of a minimum of 10 years and fine upto 2 Lakh Rupees.