Barmer illegal MD drug factory busted; ₹2.09 crore seized in Rajasthan raid
Synopsis
Rajasthan Police have uncovered a fully operational Mephedrone lab hidden in a tin shed in Barmer's Gauda village — the fourth such factory busted in the same police station area within a year. With ₹2.09 crore in drugs, chemicals, and cash seized, and the prime accused still at large, the case exposes a persistent synthetic drug manufacturing network in the district.
Key Takeaways
Rajasthan Police busted an illegal MD (Mephedrone) drug factory in Gauda village, Barmer on 17 July 2025 .
Seized items — including 1 kg 3 grams of MD , 77.176 litres of chemicals , 26.673 kg of white chemical powder , and ₹24.09 lakh cash — are valued at approximately ₹2.09 crore .
Anju , wife of prime accused Mukesh Kumar , was arrested; Mukesh Kumar fled before the raid and remains at large.
This is the fourth illegal MD factory detected in the Sedwa police station area within a year.
Investigation is ongoing under the NDPS Act ; special teams are conducting raids at multiple locations to apprehend the absconding accused.
Rajasthan Police dismantled a clandestine Mephedrone (MD) drug manufacturing unit in Gauda village under the limits of Sedwa Police Station in Barmer district on 17 July 2025, seizing narcotics, chemicals, laboratory equipment, and cash with a combined estimated value of ₹2.09 crore. The bust marks the fourth such illegal MD factory detected in the Sedwa police station area within a single year.
How the Raid Unfolded
Acting on specific intelligence received on 17 July, a special police team raided a tin-shed storeroom behind the residence of Mukesh Kumar, son of Birbalram, in Gauda village. The operation was conducted under the supervision of Additional SP Nitesh Arya and Chohtan Circle Officer Jetharam, with Sedwa SHO Prabhuram leading the ground team.
Inside, investigators found a fully operational clandestine laboratory equipped for MD drug production — a synthetic stimulant classified under Schedule I of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
What Was Seized
Police recovered 1 kg 3 grams of MD (Mephedrone), 77.176 litres of liquid chemicals, 26.673 kg of white chemical powder, and ₹24.09 lakh in cash. Machinery and laboratory apparatus used in the manufacturing process were also confiscated. The total estimated value of all seized items stands at approximately ₹2.09 crore, according to police.
Arrest Made, Prime Accused Absconding
Anju, wife of the prime accused Mukesh Kumar, was arrested from the premises. Mukesh Kumar reportedly fled before the raiding party arrived. Barmer Superintendent of Police Chunaram Jat confirmed that special teams have been constituted to trace the absconding accused, with raids continuing at multiple suspected locations.
Drug-Free Barmer Campaign
SP Chunaram Jat described the operation as part of the district police's sustained Drug-Free Barmer campaign. 'The campaign against narcotics will continue with full force, and no one involved in pushing youth towards drug addiction will be spared,' he said, urging members of the public to share information about illegal narcotics and assuring that informants' identities would be kept confidential.
Notably, this is the fourth illegal MD manufacturing unit unearthed in the Sedwa police station jurisdiction within a year, suggesting the area had become a hub for clandestine drug production. Further investigation is underway under the provisions of the NDPS Act.
Point of View
A synthetic stimulant, has been gaining ground in Rajasthan's border districts partly because its precursor chemicals are accessible and the manufacturing process is relatively low-tech. The Drug-Free Barmer campaign deserves credit for the detection rate, but the fact that the prime accused fled before each raid raises questions about the reliability of intelligence pipelines. If tip-offs are reaching suspects ahead of raiding parties, the campaign's deterrent value is undermined. Sustained results will require both faster operational execution and a harder look at how intelligence is handled between receipt and deployment.
NationPress
19 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was found in the Barmer drug factory raid?
Police recovered 1 kg 3 grams of MD (Mephedrone), 77.176 litres of liquid chemicals, 26.673 kg of white chemical powder, ₹24.09 lakh in cash, and manufacturing equipment. The total estimated value of all seized items is approximately ₹2.09 crore.
Who has been arrested in connection with the Barmer drug bust?
Anju, wife of the prime accused Mukesh Kumar, was arrested from the premises during the raid. Mukesh Kumar fled before police arrived and remains absconding; special teams are conducting raids to trace him.
Is this the first drug factory busted in Barmer's Sedwa area?
No. According to Barmer SP Chunaram Jat, this is the fourth illegal MD drug factory detected in the Sedwa police station jurisdiction within a single year, indicating a persistent manufacturing network in the area.
Under which law is the case being investigated?
The case is being investigated under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, which governs drug-related offences in India.
What is the Drug-Free Barmer campaign?
Drug-Free Barmer is a district police initiative aimed at dismantling drug manufacturing and trafficking networks in Barmer. SP Chunaram Jat cited it as the framework under which this and previous MD factory raids have been conducted.
