In a major operation, the officers of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) successfully dismantled a clandestine Mephedrone manufacturing facility operating from a residential premises in Ankleshwar, Gujarat, and arrested three persons involved in the illicit drug manufacturing and trafficking network.

In an intelligence led operation, officers of DRI unearthed a fully functional illicit laboratory equipped with sophisticated manufacturing apparatus, including an industrial oven dryer, hot plate heaters, condenser assembly, electric stirrer, and other laboratory equipment used for the clandestine manufacture of Mephedrone.

The search resulted in the recovery of 1.349 kg Mephedrone in solid form, 6.825 kg 2-Bromo-4-Methylpropiophenone, a controlled precursor chemical, and 120 litres of Monomethylamine (MMA), another essential chemical used in the manufacture of Mephedrone along with 60 kg Hydrobromic Acid (HBr), 40 litres Toluene, and two containers containing mixed acids (HBr and HCl), all of which were seized under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985.

Mephedrone, commonly known on the streets as "Meow Meow", "MD", "M-Cat" or "Drone", is a highly addictive synthetic psychotropic substance that has emerged as one of the most abused stimulant drugs in India. It is notified as a psychotropic substance under the NDPS Act, 1985, making its manufacture, possession, sale, transport and trafficking illegal except for authorised scientific or medical purposes.

Simultaneous searches conducted at the residential premises of the accused led to the recovery of Rs. 20 lakh, believed to be proceeds of illicit drug trafficking. In a swift follow-up operation, DRI officers apprehended the intended receiver of the manufactured contraband and recovered a further Rs.1 lakh, which had been brought as token payment for taking delivery of Mephedrone. In total, three persons have been arrested in connection with the case.

The laboratory setup and procurement of substantial quantities of essential chemicals indicate preparations for significantly expanding the manufacturing capacity. The timely intervention by DRI officers successfully disrupted the plans for any large-scale production.  

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SR/KMN