Ahmedabad: The Gujarat’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested three more accused linked to a massive drug manufacturing racket uncovered earlier this year in Anand district.

Acting on this intelligence, a special ATS team conducted an intensive 72-hour operation across Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, leading to the arrest of Aslam Khan from Jaora, Ratlam district, Madhya Pradesh; Kaluram Patidar from Jiriyakhedi, Rajgarh district, Madhya Pradesh; and Sakil Mohammad from Bhawanimandi, Jhalawar district, Rajasthan.

The case dates back to January 23, 2025, when the ATS raided Greenlife Industries in Neja village of Khambhat Taluka, Anand district, seizing 107 kilograms of Alprazolam valued at approximately ₹107 crore, along with 2,518 kilograms of other chemicals. Further investigation led to the seizure of an additional 500 kilograms of Tramadol from a warehouse in Dholka, Ahmedabad.

Initially, six individuals namely Ajay Jain, Vijay Makwana, Hemant Patel, Lalji Makwana, Ranjit Dabhi, and Jaydeep Makwana were arrested under the NDPS Act. Later, the probe uncovered that accused Ajay Jain was illegally sourcing Alprazolam from co-accused Vijay Makwana and distributing it to Aslam Khan, Kaluram Patidar, and Sakil Mohammad.

The investigation also revealed that advance payments totaling ₹30 lakh were made for the large-scale production of Alprazolam, and previous consignments were also paid for through traditional cash couriers (angadia).

as per the ATS, two of the arrested accused have a criminal history related to narcotics and excise violations. Notably, Aslam Khan was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2011 under the NDPS Act. Kaluram Patidar has faced multiple cases, including being caught with smack (methamphetamine) by the Narcotics Control Bureau’s Indore unit.

The ATS has initiated all legal procedures following their arrest, and further investigation is underway to trace the entire network behind the illicit manufacturing and distribution of psychotropic substances. DeshGujarat