Earlier this week, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) received a tip-off about the presence of banned MD drug at a bungalow in Valsad district's Vapi. With the help of Valsad Special Operations Group (SOG), police raided the bungalow and seized MD in both solid and liquid state worth Rs 30 crore, officers said. The seizure then led the officers to neighbouring Daman where the banned substance was being processed and manufactured at a farmhouse. Police have arrested one person and are looking to arrest two more in connection with the case. It all started with Gujarat ATS officers led by Deputy Superintendent of Police C L Chaudhary and his team reaching Vapi late on Thursday evening. With the help of Valsad SOG, the ATS carried out raids at a bungalow in Chala area, leading to the discovery of substances in both solid and liquid state weighing 5.9 kilograms, said officers. Forensic Science officials present at the spot confirmed it to be banned mephedrone (MD) drug, they added. The officers then questioned a man present at the bungalow and arrested him. He was identified as Mohan Paliwal (50), a resident of Vapi town in Valsad. After primary questioning, Paliwal revealed that the banned drug was being processed and manufactured at a farmhouse in Daman, officers said. ATS officers then coordinated with the Daman Crime Branch officials and carried out raids at a farmhouse in Bamanpuja Circle, Moti Daman. The personnel broke open the lock of the farmhouse and found raw materials allegedly used in manufacturing the synthetic drug. The police team seized bromo chemicals weighing approximately 25 kgs, 50 kgs of caustic soda, hydrochloric acid, salt bags, 10 drums of chemicals weighing 25 litres each, a large quantity of empty containers, electric gas, buckets, several trays used for the preparation of synthetic drugs, and masks. The Gujarat ATS has registered a case under different sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act against Paliwal and are further questioning him. Talking to The Indian Express, Deputy SP Chaudhary said, “Along with Manoj, two others, identified as Mehul Thakur and Vivek Rai (a chemist), were involved in manufacturing and selling the banned drugs to different parties in Surat and Mumbai. Mehul and Vivek have gone underground, and we are looking for them. The trio has been involved in such activities for the last three to four months. We are trying to dig out more information from them.”
