NCB busted MD drug manufacturing unit at Vapi, two are arrested.

Surat: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has busted the psychotropic drugs manufacturing unit, being clandestinely operated in Vapi, for the supply of Mephedrone (MD) to different parts of the state and other regions in the country on Tuesday.

During the operation, which went on for more than 20 hours against the drug syndicate in Vapi, the NCB seized 4.5 kilograms of MD from the possession of the two accused who were caught red-handed for delivering the drug at a residential premises in Vapi.

Further, the NCB team seized Rs 80 lakh in cash from different premises belonging to the accused. The seized cash is suspected to be the illegal sale proceeds of the drugs.

The masterminds of the drug trade, Prakash Patel and Sonu Ramnivas have been arrested. Patel was manufacturing drugs in the clandestine factory and Ramnivas was involved in the marketing of the manufactured drug.

Sources said that the NCB team was keeping watch on the cartel for the last few days. The case becomes very important due to the busting of the manufacturing unit, a first of its kind in Gujarat, a huge haul of cash, and the seizure of MD in such a large quantity.

NCB will further look into the linkages of this illegal drug network. MD is addictive and very popular among abusers. Seizure of narcotic drugs can lead to prosecution under stringent provisions of the NDPS Act, which entails the provision of rigorous imprisonment of a minimum of 10 years and a fine up to Rs 2 lakh.