Bhopal: Following a tip-off, a joint operation by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and the Delhi Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) led to a raid at a factory in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, on Saturday. Authorities seized 907 kg of mephedrone (MD), valued at ₹1,814 crore, and arrested two individuals, according to an official statement.

The suspects, Amit Chaturvedi (57) from Bhopal and Sanyal Bane (40) from Nashik, Maharashtra, were accused of illegally manufacturing and distributing the drug under the cover of a factory in the Bagroda Industrial Estate, Bhopal. Officials revealed that Bane had previously been arrested in 2017 in an MD-related case by the Amboli Police Station in Mumbai and had served five years in prison.

After his release, Bane allegedly partnered with Chaturvedi to set up an illegal MD production unit around 6-7 months ago. For the last 3-4 months, they had been accumulating raw materials and equipment to begin manufacturing and distributing the drug.

Minister of State for Home, Harsh Sanghavi, praised the operation on social media, calling it a significant victory in the fight against drug trafficking. He lauded the efforts of law enforcement agencies in protecting public health and safety, urging continued support for their mission to make India a safer and healthier nation.

In a statement, Harsh Sanghavi said, “Kudos to Gujarat ATS and NCB (Ops), Delhi, for a major victory in the battle against drugs! They recently raided a factory in Bhopal and seized MD and materials used to manufacture it, with a staggering total value of ₹1,814 crore. This achievement highlights the relentless efforts of our law enforcement agencies in combating drug trafficking and abuse. Their cooperation is vital to safeguarding the health and security of our society. The dedication of our law enforcement is truly commendable. Let’s continue to support them in their mission to make India a safer and healthier nation!”