Bhopal Drug Lab Busted, Second in a Year
A sprawling illegal mephedrone factory was busted by the DRI, raising concerns about the city emerging as a hub for synthetic narcotics.
GG News Bureau
Bhopal, 19th Aug: A sprawling illegal drug factory was busted in Bhopal on Monday by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), reinforcing concerns that the Madhya Pradesh capital is emerging as a hub for the production and trade of synthetic narcotics.
As part of “Operation Crystal Break,” the DRI, with assistance from the Surat and Mumbai Police, raided a lab in Jagdishpur, on the outskirts of Bhopal. The operation resulted in the seizure of 61.2 kg of mephedrone (MD) and 541.53 kg of precursor chemicals, with an estimated illicit market value of Rs 162 crore. Seven individuals, allegedly working for a foreign drug kingpin, were arrested in connection with the bust.
This is the second major drug factory uncovered in Bhopal in less than a year. In October of the previous year, a joint operation by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad and the Narcotics Control Bureau in Delhi exposed another high-tech drug manufacturing den in the Bagroda Industrial Area, which was producing 907 kg of mephedrone valued at over Rs 1,800 crore.
The latest raids were part of a wider operation spanning Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, which dismantled a key drug cartel. Arrests were made in multiple states, including a key player from Basti in UP who managed chemical supplies and two transport handlers from Mumbai.
Experts say these operations, combined with previous investigations, are proof that Bhopal is no longer merely a transit city for drugs but a base for their production.
