Valsad: The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), in a joint operation with the Valsad Special Operations Group (SOG), has busted an illegal drug manufacturing and distribution network operating from Sarigam in Vapi taluka of Valsad district and seized banned narcotic substances, officials said on Tuesday.

The operation was launched after ATS Deputy Superintendent of Police S.L. Chaudhary received specific intelligence inputs that one Rajesh Maurya and his associates, Abdul Kalam and Mehulkumar Makwana, were allegedly involved in the illegal manufacturing and sale of Mephedrone.

Acting on the intelligence, the ATS constituted a special investigation team, which carried out technical surveillance and gathered human intelligence to verify the information.

Later, during a raid at a scrap godown in Sarigam, police recovered and seized 2.377 kg of banned Mephedrone (MD) and 0.658 kg of a suspected narcotic substance, recently notified as a controlled substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act with effect from March 11, 2026.

Two persons, Abdul Kalam (36) and Mehulkumar Makwana (45), were arrested during the operation. ATS officials said legal action has been initiated against the accused under relevant sections of the NDPS Act.

Authorities are now probing the wider network, including supply chains, manufacturing links, and the role of other suspects allegedly associated with the operation, including Rajesh Maurya, whose involvement is under investigation.

The ATS said further investigation is underway to determine the scale of the drug racket and identify additional persons connected to the illegal trade. DeshGujarat