Narcotics Bureau Cracks Down on
Mephedrone (Equivalent to Khat) Factory in UP
·
Operation: The Central Bureau of Narcotics
(CBN), under Operation Vajra 3.0, busted an interstate synthetic drug
manufacturing network and dismantled a clandestine Mephedrone (MD) laboratory
in Tajopur Industrial Area, Mau, Uttar Pradesh.
·
Date of Operation: 8
November 2026. A joint team of CBN MP Unit and CBN UP Unit conducted the
operation based on specific intelligence developed by the MP Unit.
·
Major Seizures:
o
11.7 kg Mephedrone (MD) at
different stages of processing.
o
20.9 kg 2-Bromo-4-methylpropiophenone, a key
precursor used in MD manufacturing.
o
3.5 kg acetic anhydride.
o
Approximately 119.9 kg/litre of chemicals,
solvents and processing reagents, including dichloromethane, hydrochloric
acid, sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride and organic amines.
·
Laboratory Equipment Seized: Complete
clandestine laboratory infrastructure, including industrial grinders and
mixers, steel tanks, heating equipment, glass reaction and distillation
apparatus, temperature-measuring devices and other manufacturing equipment, was
seized and dismantled.
·
Arrests: Two persons involved in the
illicit manufacturing network were arrested under the NDPS Act, 1985.
·
Further Investigation: CBN is
investigating the wider interstate network, sources of precursor chemicals,
financial linkages and intended drug distribution channels.
CBN's
Nationwide Enforcement Record in 2026
·
CBN has busted six clandestine drug
manufacturing laboratories during 2026 so far.
·
Total Mephedrone seized: 130.2 kg.
·
Total precursor chemicals seized: 1,465.4
kg/litre.
·
Total suspects arrested: 20.
Significance
·
The operation has prevented further manufacture and
distribution of illicit Mephedrone.
·
It represents a major crackdown on interstate
synthetic drug manufacturing and trafficking networks.
·
CBN continues enforcement under the NDPS Act, 1985,
focusing on clandestine laboratories, diversion of precursor chemicals and
interstate drug syndicates.
·
The operation supports the national mission of Nasha Mukt Bharat, Viksit Bharat.
The
Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) conducted a significant operation against an
interstate drug synthetic network and busted a clandestine laboratory
manufacturing Mephedrone (MD) in the Tajopur
Industrial Area, Mau, Uttar Pradesh under its Operation Vajra 3.0.
Acting
on specific intelligence developed by the CBN MP Unit, a joint team of CBN MP
Unit and CBN UP Unit conducted a coordinated operation on 08.11.2026 and
successfully identified and busted an active clandestine synthetic drug
manufacturing facility.
The
operation led to the recovery of 11.7 kg mephedrone (MD) at different stages of
processing. The team also seized 20.9 kg 2-bromo-4-methylpropiophenone, a key
precursor used in the manufacture of Mephedrone, along with 3.5 kg acetic
anhydride and approximately 119.9 kg/L of various chemicals, solvents and
processing reagents, including dichloromethane, hydrochloric acid, sodium
bicarbonate, sodium chloride and organic amines.
The
operation further resulted in the seizure and dismantling of the complete
clandestine laboratory infrastructure, comprising industrial grinders and
mixers, steel tanks and vessels, heating equipment, glass reaction and
distillation apparatus, temperature-measuring devices, voltage balancers and
other equipment used for illicit manufacture of synthetic drugs, besides
personal protective equipment.
During
the course of the operation, two persons involved in the illicit manufacturing
network were arrested under NDPS Act 1985. Further investigation is underway to
ascertain the wider interstate network, source of precursor chemicals,
financial linkages and intended distribution channels.
The
entire seizure and further proceedings were conducted in accordance with the
provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985, following prescribed legal procedures.
The
dismantling of the clandestine laboratory has prevented the further manufacture
and distribution of a significant quantity of illicit Mephedrone and dealt a
major blow to an interstate synthetic drug network.
During
2026, the CBN has busted six clandestine labs till date with seizure of 130.2
kg mephedrone (MD) and 1465.4 Kg/L precursor chemicals. Arrest of 20 suspects
have been made in connection to these cases.
The
operation reflects the continued vigilance, dedication and commitment of the
Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) towards combating illicit drug trafficking
and clandestine manufacturing of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
CBN
remains steadfast in its efforts to dismantle clandestine drug manufacturing
networks, prevent the diversion of precursor chemicals, identify and disrupt
interstate trafficking syndicates, enforce the provisions of the NDPS Act,
1985, and contribute towards the national mission of a Nasha
Mukt Bharat, Viksit Bharat.