In a major drug bust, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has arrested three men and seized 31.409 kg of liquid mephedrone and its components, valued at an astounding Rs51.409 crore. The arrests were made following a raid at a mephedrone factory in Surat.
The arrested men are Vijay Gajera (38), a resident of Varachha, Surat, Sunil Yadav (28), from Valsad, and their accomplice Haresh Korat (28), who was apprehended in Junagadh. The three are accused of manufacturing and distributing mephedrone, also known as MD, meow meow, and bubble.
Yadav, a chemical engineer, and Gajera, with a background in electrical engineering, were previously working as chemical traders — Yadav in Vapi and Gajera in Surat. According to authorities, the duo learned how to manufacture mephedrone by watching instructional videos online. Korat was tasked with finding customers for their illicit products.
The breakthrough came after local residents tipped off authorities about the suspicious activities at the factory, which operated only during late hours — from 11 pm to 4 am — and was locked during the day. Acting on this information, ATS Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) S L Chaudhary instructed a team led by Inspectors S H Panara and V N Vaghela to raid the unit.
The authorities seized 31.409 kg of liquid mephedrone and raw materials worth over Rs51 crore. Gajera, who had been trading chemicals in Surat, quickly named his associates, leading to further arrests. Yadav was apprehended in Vapi, while Korat was caught by Junagadh police.
During their interrogation, the trio confessed to selling their product to a drug dealer in Mumbai, identified by the ATS as Salim Saiyed. Authorities are continuing to investigate the broader drug network linked to these arrests.
The accused were remanded to ATS custody by a Palsana court until July 29. The operation highlights the growing issue of mephedrone production and distribution in Gujarat, with authorities committed to dismantling these illicit operations.