Gujarat police bust interstate drug network, seize narcotics worth ₹25.5 crore; 3 arrested
Synopsis
A two-year intelligence operation culminated on 22 October when Gujarat's Surat and Ahmedabad Crime Branches intercepted an alleged interstate drug network at the Ahmedabad Express Highway, seizing ₹25.5 crore worth of heroin and mephedrone. All three arrested men carry extensive criminal histories — one linked to a 300-kg heroin case — pointing to a well-structured narcotics pipeline stretching from Delhi and UP into Gujarat.
Key Takeaways
Crime Branch units of Surat and Ahmedabad jointly seized ₹25.5 crore worth of narcotics near the CTM toll plaza, Ahmedabad Express Highway on 22 October 2026 .
The haul included 4,531.220 grams of heroin (valued at ₹5 crore per kg ) and 2,497.490 grams of mephedrone (valued at ₹1.2 crore per kg ).
Three men arrested: Tifel Nokhej (44, Delhi) , Mohammed Imran Alvi (38, Meerut, UP) , and Kafeel Ahmed (59, Delhi) — all with prior criminal records.
The investigation traces back over two years to intelligence gathered by Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlot .
The alleged network has links across Delhi , Uttar Pradesh , and Gujarat ; probe is ongoing to map the supply chain.
The Crime Branch units of Surat and Ahmedabad police jointly arrested three men and seized heroin and mephedrone with a combined estimated street value of ₹25.5 crore near the CTM toll plaza on the Ahmedabad Express Highway, falling under the jurisdiction of Ramol police station, officials confirmed on Thursday, 22 October 2026. The operation dismantled what investigators describe as an alleged interstate drug network with links to Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat.
The Seizure in Detail
The haul comprised 4,531.220 grams (approximately 4.5 kg) of heroin, valued at ₹5 crore per kg, and 2,497.490 grams (approximately 2.5 kg) of mephedrone — commonly known as MD — valued at ₹1.2 crore per kg, according to police. The two consignments together carry an estimated market value of ₹25.5 crore. Officials said the raid disrupted an active attempt to push these narcotics into Gujarat.
Who Was Arrested
The three accused have been identified as Tifel Nokhej, 44, a resident of New Delhi; Mohammed Imran Alvi, 38, from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh; and Kafeel Ahmed, 59, also of New Delhi. According to police, all three have prior criminal records spanning narcotics, human trafficking, and other offences.
Nokhej reportedly has a history of heroin-related cases — he was allegedly linked to a 100-gram heroin seizure in Amritsar in 2014 and accused of piloting a smuggling operation involving 300 kg of heroin in 2019. Alvi has been connected to cases involving molestation, human trafficking, and cheating, police said. Ahmed's record includes 18.5 kg of charas seized in Jaipur, 100 grams of mephedrone in Ahmedabad, and an alleged recovery of 3 kg of alprazolam in Rajasthan while he was on parole.
The Intelligence Behind the Operation
Ahmedabad City Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlot had reportedly been receiving intelligence about the suspected syndicate for more than two years, with the probe beginning during his earlier tenure as Surat Police Commissioner. The joint operation by both Crime Branch units was launched following fresh, actionable inputs about the network's movement. This coordinated, cross-city approach reflects a broader pattern of Gujarat police countering drug pipelines originating in northern India.
What Investigators Are Probing Next
Authorities say further investigation is under way to map the syndicate's supply chain, identify financiers, and establish the precise roles of the three arrested men. The network's alleged connections across at least three states suggest a structured operation rather than an isolated consignment. This comes amid growing concern over mephedrone trafficking in western India, which has seen a sharp uptick in law enforcement intercepts over the past two years.
Point of View
But the more telling detail is the two-year intelligence horizon — a sign that Gujarat police are investing in sustained surveillance rather than reactive raids. The accused's prior records, including an alleged 300-kg heroin operation and a parole-time narcotics catch, suggest these are not first-time couriers but repeat actors in an entrenched network. What the arrest does not yet answer is how many layers of the chain remain intact: supply-side dismantling requires following financial trails back to procurers, not just apprehending runners. Until investigators map the funding and sourcing, a replacement consignment from the same network remains a live risk.
NationPress
22 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What drugs were seized in the Gujarat police operation on 22 October 2026?
Police seized approximately 4.5 kg of heroin and 2.5 kg of mephedrone (MD), with a combined estimated street value of ₹25.5 crore. The haul was intercepted near the CTM toll plaza on the Ahmedabad Express Highway.
Who were the three men arrested in the Ahmedabad drug bust?
The arrested men are Tifel Nokhej (44) from New Delhi, Mohammed Imran Alvi (38) from Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, and Kafeel Ahmed (59) from New Delhi. All three reportedly have prior criminal records involving narcotics and other offences.
Which police units carried out the drug raid near Ahmedabad?
The operation was conducted jointly by the Crime Branch units of Surat Police and Ahmedabad Police, acting on intelligence inputs about an alleged interstate drug network.
How long had police been tracking this drug network?
According to police, Ahmedabad City Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlot had been receiving intelligence on the suspected syndicate for more than two years, with the probe starting during his tenure as Surat Police Commissioner.
What states does the alleged drug network span?
Investigators say the network has alleged links to Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat. Further investigation is under way to establish the full supply chain and the roles of the arrested individuals.
