95 kg of Methamphetamine Seized, Key Members of Drug Syndicate Apprehended

Delhi, 29th October 2024– In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Drug-Free India (Nasha Mukt Bharat) and in response to Union Home Minister’s directive for an exhaustive crackdown on drug trafficking networks, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has dismantled a clandestine methamphetamine lab operating in the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi. The operation, carried out by the NCB’s Operations unit in collaboration with the Special Cell of the Delhi Police, marks a significant strike against illicit synthetic drug manufacturing in India. On October 25, 2024, the NCB conducted a search at a factory in the Kasana Industrial Area, Gautam Budh Nagar, following credible intelligence of methamphetamine production intended for both domestic consumption and international export. The operation uncovered approximately 95 kilograms of methamphetamine in both solid and liquid forms, along with large quantities of precursor chemicals such as acetone, sodium hydroxide, methylene chloride, ethanol, toluene, red phosphorus, and ethyl acetate. Additionally, specialized imported machinery designed for drug production was seized.

The Delhi Police Special Cell was an integral part of the operation, as the drug network had connections across various locations in the NCR. Preliminary inquiries reveal that a Delhi-based businessman, who was inside the factory at the time of the raid, and a Tihar Jail warden played crucial roles in establishing and maintaining the methamphetamine production setup. The businessman, previously arrested by the Department of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, connected with the jail warden during his previous incarceration, leading to their collaboration in this drug manufacturing operation.

The syndicate also involved a Mumbai-based chemist to handle the technical aspects of methamphetamine production, while a member of the Mexican Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG) residing in Delhi was responsible for testing the drug quality. The cartel’s involvement indicates an international linkage, adding to the significance of this bust. The NCB arrested all four key individuals involved in this illegal operation and presented them before a magistrate on October 27, 2024, where they were remanded to three-day police custody for further investigation. In a subsequent action, an additional member of the syndicate was apprehended from **Rajouri Garden, Delhi and is due to appear before the court. The NCB is actively tracking the syndicate’s forward and backward linkages, examining the financial trail and the illicit assets generated through drug trafficking activities. This year alone, the NCB has shut down clandestine methamphetamine and mephedrone labs in five other locations across India, including Gandhinagar and Amreli in Gujarat, Jodhpur and Sirohi in Rajasthan, and Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. Earlier this month, an operation in the Bagroda Industrial Estate of Bhopal, in partnership with the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), seized around 907 kg of mephedrone in solid and liquid forms, along with 7,000 kg of precursor chemicals  and associated manufacturing equipment.

The growing preference among drug cartels for setting up synthetic drug labs in industrial areas has become evident. The low production costs associated with methamphetamine and mephedrone, coupled with easier material transportation and waste disposal, have enabled cartels to operate with reduced risk of detection. Toxic fumes from these labs are often disguised amidst industrial emissions, presenting additional challenges to local law enforcement. In response to this trend, the NCB is increasing its efforts to train local police forces in detecting and dismantling synthetic drug labs. In collaboration with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the NCB recently organized a five-day training program in Ahmedabad to enhance the capabilities of law enforcement agencies across India. Similar programs are planned for various states to further strengthen anti-drug trafficking initiatives.

The Statement from Gyaneshwar Singh, IPS, DDG (Operations), NCB-“This operation is a testament to our relentless pursuit of a drug-free India. Our joint efforts with the Delhi Police Special Cell have not only dismantled a significant methamphetamine manufacturing operation but have also shed light on the syndicate’s extensive network and international connections. We are committed to breaking every link in the chain and will continue to train and empower local police forces to detect such illegal labs.”