Overview
- Officers seized chemicals and equipment sufficient to manufacture about 100 kg of mephedrone with an estimated value of roughly Rs 40 crore.
- The clandestine setup was found on November 6 in a remote farmhouse at Daantrai village in Sirohi, where NFSU experts confirmed the presence of precursors.
- Five suspects were taken into custody from locations in Rajasthan and Gujarat, including alleged mastermind Vala Ram of Jalore.
- Investigators say the operation used virtual SIMs and darknet resources, sourced chemicals and lab gear from Ankleshwar in Gujarat, and leased the farmhouse in an associate Bhura Ram’s name; a vehicle used for transport was also seized.
- Authorities link the case to a prior Central Bureau of Narcotics seizure of 2 kg on October 28 and report the network had produced about 8 kg earlier, as NCB highlights red-flag guidance shared with district police due to rising mephedrone use in multiple states.