NCB busts mephedrone lab in Ahmedabad basement, seizes 130 kg chemicals
Synopsis
A basement on a busy Ahmedabad ring road was concealing a fully equipped mephedrone lab — complete with industrial solvents, lab instruments, and over 130 kg of precursor chemicals. The NCB's 'Operation Synthetic Drug' has exposed not just a drug production unit, but a suspect with four prior criminal cases including attempted murder, raising serious questions about inter-state synthetic drug networks in Gujarat.
Key Takeaways
The NCB and Gujarat Police jointly busted a suspected mephedrone lab in Ahmedabad on 15 November 2026 under 'Operation Synthetic Drug' .
130.613 kg of chemicals and laboratory materials were seized, along with 27.55 grams of mephedrone.
The lab was found in the basement of a premises owned by Mudasar Ahmed Khan at Labbail Park, Gayaspur .
Khan had four prior criminal cases registered against him between August 2022 and January 2023 , including charges of attempted murder.
The NCB is investigating possible inter-state links and other persons involved in the alleged drug network.
Citizens can report narcotics activity to the MANAS helpline on toll-free number 1933 .
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on 15 November 2026 unearthed a suspected clandestine mephedrone manufacturing laboratory in a residential basement in Ahmedabad, seizing 130.613 kg of chemicals and laboratory materials along with 27.55 grams of the synthetic drug. The joint operation with the Gujarat Police, code-named 'Operation Synthetic Drug', was carried out by the NCB's Ahmedabad Zonal Unit following specific intelligence inputs.
Where the Lab Was Found
The suspected laboratory was located in the basement of a premises owned by Mudasar Ahmed Khan at Labbail Park, near Mohammadi Park, on the 100 Feet Ring Road in the Gayaspur area off Sarkhej Road, Ahmedabad. According to the NCB, the basement contained a range of instruments, laboratory apparatus, and chemical substances suspected to have been used for the illicit manufacture of mephedrone — also known as MD — a psychotropic substance prohibited under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
What Was Seized
Officials recovered 26.85 grams of mephedrone in liquid form (including the weight of the glass vial) and 0.70 grams in powder form from a drawer at the premises, bringing the total suspected drug recovery to 27.55 grams. The bulk of the haul comprised precursor chemicals and industrial solvents, including 86.650 kg of industrial-grade methyl dichloride (MDC), 12.920 kg of sulphur-free toluene, 9.115 kg of a mixture of propionyl chloride and methyl dichloride, 4.046 kg of glacial acetic acid, 2.717 kg of toluene, and 2.258 kg of ethyl acetate.
Other seized substances included sodium hydroxide, sodium bicarbonate, acetone, sulphuric acid, methylamine, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, propionyl chloride, anhydrous aluminium chloride, hydrogen peroxide, bromine, and isopropyl alcohol. Officials also recovered test-tube samples, Metroark 211 compound, and glass containers holding brown-coloured substances and liquids. Laboratory equipment seized included heating mantles, digital magnetic stirrers, pipettes, round-bottom flasks, dropping funnels, separating funnels, beakers, stands, speed regulators, and temperature-measuring instruments.
Khan's Criminal Antecedents
During verification of Mudasar Ahmed Khan's background, the NCB found that four criminal cases had previously been registered against him under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Gujarat Police Act, and the Arms Act. These cases, registered between August 2022 and January 2023, include allegations relating to rioting, assault, criminal intimidation, arson, and attempt to murder. Notably, one case registered on 25 January 2023 carried charges under IPC sections 307 (attempt to murder), 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance), and 511 (attempt to commit offences punishable with life imprisonment).
Investigation and What Comes Next
The NCB has said further investigation is underway to establish the complete modus operandi, identify the sources of the seized chemicals, and ascertain their intended use. Investigators are also examining the possible involvement of other individuals, inter-state links, and the extent of any drug manufacturing and distribution network connected with the premises. This comes amid a broader national crackdown on synthetic drug manufacturing, with mephedrone labs having previously been unearthed in Gujarat and other western Indian states.
The agency has urged citizens with information about narcotics-related activity to contact MANAS, the National Narcotics Helpline, on toll-free number 1933, assuring that the identity of informants will be kept strictly confidential.
Point of View
And this latest bust underscores a worrying pattern: clandestine labs embedded in residential areas, stocked with industrial-grade precursors that are freely available in legitimate supply chains. The scale of the chemical inventory — over 130 kg spanning more than a dozen substances — suggests this was not a small-time operation. That the suspect already carried four criminal cases, including attempted murder charges, raises pointed questions about why earlier intelligence did not flag the premises sooner. The inter-state angle now under investigation could be the more consequential thread: if Gujarat is a production hub feeding broader distribution networks, enforcement needs to shift upstream to precursor chemical supply chains, not just end-of-pipe lab seizures.
NationPress
15 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was found in the Ahmedabad mephedrone lab bust?
The NCB found a fully equipped clandestine mephedrone manufacturing laboratory in the basement of a premises in Ahmedabad's Gayaspur area. Officials seized 130.613 kg of chemicals and laboratory materials, including industrial solvents and precursor substances, along with 27.55 grams of mephedrone in liquid and powder form.
What is mephedrone and why is it illegal in India?
Mephedrone, also known as MD, is a synthetic psychotropic stimulant drug. It is prohibited under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, which regulates the manufacture, possession, and distribution of such substances in India.
Who is Mudasar Ahmed Khan, the suspect in the NCB drug lab case?
Mudasar Ahmed Khan is the owner of the premises in Labbail Park, Ahmedabad, where the suspected mephedrone lab was discovered. NCB verification revealed that four criminal cases were previously registered against him between August 2022 and January 2023, including charges of attempted murder under IPC section 307.
What is 'Operation Synthetic Drug' launched by the NCB?
'Operation Synthetic Drug' is the code name given to the NCB Ahmedabad Zonal Unit's raid carried out on 15 November 2026, based on specific intelligence inputs. The operation was conducted jointly with the Gujarat Police and resulted in the detection and seizure of the clandestine mephedrone laboratory.
What happens next in the NCB Ahmedabad drug lab investigation?
The NCB has said investigation is ongoing to identify the sources of the seized chemicals, establish the full modus operandi, and determine whether other individuals or inter-state networks are involved. Citizens with information can contact the MANAS National Narcotics Helpline on toll-free number 1933.
