Gujarat ATS busts MD drug unit in Vapi, seizes ₹7 crore mephedrone
Synopsis
Gujarat ATS and Valsad SOG dismantled an alleged mephedrone manufacturing unit hidden inside a scrap godown in Vapi, seizing over 2.3 kg of MD worth up to ₹7 crore. Two men are in custody; a third suspect is being sought. Investigators say the operation had been months in the making — and production was still active when police struck.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat ATS and Valsad SOG raided a scrap godown in Sarigam, Vapi on 26 May 2025 .
2.377 kg of mephedrone (MD) and 0.658 kg of a second controlled narcotic were seized, valued at ₹6–7 crore .
Arrested: Abdul Kalam (36) of Nani Daman and Mehulkumar Makwana (45) of Vapi; principal accused Rajesh Maurya is under further investigation.
The alleged operation was reportedly in preparation for five to six months before production began.
An additional 500–600 grams of mephedrone could have been produced from raw material found on-site.
A case has been registered under the NDPS Act ; investigation is ongoing.
The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Valsad Special Operations Group (SOG) on Tuesday, 26 May raided a scrap godown in Sarigam village, Vapi taluka, Valsad district, seizing 2.377 kg of mephedrone and arresting two men in connection with an alleged clandestine drug manufacturing operation. The seized narcotics, commonly known as MD, carry an estimated street value of between ₹6 crore and ₹7 crore, according to ATS officials.
How the Raid Unfolded
ATS Deputy Superintendent of Police S.L. Chaudhary received credible intelligence that Rajesh Maurya and his associates were allegedly running a mephedrone production unit out of a scrap warehouse in Sarigam. The intelligence, shared with senior officers on 25 May, was verified through a combination of technical surveillance and human sources before a special team was deployed.
Investigators confirmed the inputs before conducting the search, recovering 2.377 kg of mephedrone along with 0.658 kg of a second suspected narcotic substance. The latter was formally declared a controlled substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act with effect from 11 March this year.
The Accused and Their Alleged Roles
Two men were arrested: Abdul Kalam (36), a businessman originally from Balrampur district, Uttar Pradesh, currently residing in Nani Daman; and Mehulkumar Makwana (45), originally from Wadhwan, Surendranagar district, presently living in Vapi. Both were allegedly involved in procuring raw materials and processing the narcotic substance, according to ATS officials.
A third suspect, Rajesh Maurya, is believed to be among the principal accused who collectively sourced raw materials from multiple locations. ATS Superintendent of Police K.K. Patel confirmed that Maurya would be questioned further regarding his specific role in the operation.
Scale of the Alleged Operation
According to SP Patel, investigators believe the accused had been planning and preparing the operation for five to six months before production activities commenced. He added that approximately 500 to 600 grams of additional mephedrone could potentially have been produced from the raw material recovered during the raid — indicating the unit was still in an active production phase at the time of the bust.
When asked whether any narcotics had already been supplied to buyers, SP Patel said the detail would emerge during interrogation and further investigation. The ownership of the godown, the source of chemicals, and any criminal history or technical knowledge of the accused are still being verified, officials noted.
Zero-Tolerance Policy and Legal Action
SP Patel stated that the operation was conducted in line with the zero-tolerance policy against drugs of both the Union government and the Gujarat state government. 'The Gujarat ATS, in line with the zero-tolerance policy against drugs of the Union government and the state government, continuously undertakes such operations,' he said.
A case has been registered under the NDPS Act and investigation is ongoing. The raid is part of a broader pattern of ATS-led anti-narcotics drives in Gujarat's industrial belt, where the proximity to chemical suppliers has reportedly made synthetic drug manufacturing an emerging concern for law enforcement.
Point of View
With their dense network of chemical suppliers and logistics infrastructure, are increasingly being exploited for synthetic drug manufacturing. Mephedrone's recent classification as a controlled substance under the NDPS Act — effective only since March this year — means enforcement agencies are still calibrating their response to a relatively new legal category. The five-to-six-month preparation window the accused allegedly had before production began raises questions about how early intelligence was available and whether the tip-off came too late to prevent any supply reaching the market. The unanswered question of whether product had already been distributed is the one investigators must resolve first.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was seized in the Gujarat ATS raid in Vapi?
Authorities seized 2.377 kg of mephedrone (MD) and 0.658 kg of a second suspected narcotic substance during a raid on a scrap godown in Sarigam, Vapi on 26 May 2025. The total estimated market value of the seized material is between ₹6 crore and ₹7 crore.
Who was arrested in the Vapi drug manufacturing bust?
Two men were arrested: Abdul Kalam (36), a businessman from Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh, residing in Nani Daman; and Mehulkumar Makwana (45), originally from Wadhwan, Surendranagar, residing in Vapi. A third suspect, Rajesh Maurya, is under further investigation.
What is mephedrone (MD) and why is it significant?
Mephedrone, commonly called MD, is a synthetic stimulant classified as a banned narcotic under the NDPS Act. It is significant here because the accused were allegedly not just selling but actively manufacturing the substance, and a related compound was only recently added to the NDPS controlled substances list from 11 March 2025.
How long had the alleged drug operation been running?
According to ATS SP K.K. Patel, investigators believe the accused had been preparing the operation for five to six months before production activities began. The unit was reportedly still in an active production phase when the raid was conducted.
What legal action has been taken after the Vapi drug raid?
A case has been registered against the accused under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Investigation is ongoing to determine the source of chemicals, ownership of the godown, intended buyers, and any prior criminal history of those involved.
