Bhopal, Jan 10 (NationPress) In a major crackdown on synthetic drug trafficking, the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) has successfully shut down a secret laboratory manufacturing mephedrone (often referred to as MD drugs) located in Aamla village of Agar Malwa district.

The illicit operation was found hidden within Teerth Herbal Nursery, a farmhouse situated around 20 km from the district center along the Indore-Kota National Highway. Authorities suspect that this facility had been running for some time, masking extensive drug production under the guise of legitimate nursery activities.

This significant breakthrough followed reliable intelligence gathered by the Ujjain branch of the CBN, directed by Superintendent Mukesh Khatri. The information suggested that a substantial shipment of finished mephedrone was to be picked up from the site on January 10, between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m.

A coordinated operation, including assistance from Neemuch-Jawra Superintendent V.S. Kumar, surrounded the farmhouse at 4:30 a.m. After keeping watch until 10 a.m. with no one arriving for the delivery, officers entered the premises and executed a thorough search, as per official reports.

Deputy Narcotics Commissioner Nikhil Gandhi stated: “Our Ujjain team received a confidential tip about a large quantity of MD drugs intended for delivery to a nursery in the interior of Aamla, Agar village between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. today. Despite our presence, no one appeared to collect the delivery by 10 a.m., prompting us to search for the clandestine MD lab. Three individuals have been apprehended in connection with this matter.”

During the operation, authorities seized 31.25 kg of mephedrone valued at approximately Rs 10 crore in the domestic market. Additionally, around 600 kg of precursor chemicals utilized in the production process, along with advanced laboratory apparatus, glassware, and other processing implements were confiscated.

At the time of entry, the site was found empty, and no arrests have been made thus far. Investigators suspect that this operation might be part of a larger interstate or cross-border narcotics syndicate.

An extensive investigation is ongoing to ascertain the ownership of the property, identify involved individuals — including potential chemists, operators, and financiers — and apprehend those who intended to collect the shipment.

This seizure underscores the increasing sophistication of drug syndicates, which are increasingly exploiting rural and semi-urban areas by using seemingly benign agricultural setups to hide illicit production.

The Central Bureau of Narcotics is intensifying surveillance and operations across Madhya Pradesh to dismantle such hidden laboratories and curb the spread of dangerous synthetic drugs.

Major drug bust in Madhya Pradesh: Illegal mephedrone lab dismantled in Agar Malwa, drugs valued at around Rs 10 crore seized.