The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) dismantled a clandestine Mephedrone manufacturing facility operating from a residential premises in Ankleshwar, Gujarat. The operation matters for UPSC because it links synthetic-drug trafficking, precursor chemical control, and enforcement under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
What happened
According to the Ministry of Finance, DRI officers carried out an intelligence-led operation and found a fully functional illicit laboratory with manufacturing apparatus used for Mephedrone production. Three persons were arrested in connection with the network.
Key facts from the raid
The search led to seizure of the drug, precursor chemicals, acids, and cash suspected to be linked to trafficking activity.
Mephedrone is a synthetic psychotropic substance commonly known on the streets as "Meow Meow", "MD", "M-Cat" or "Drone". The NDPS Act, 1985 treats it as a psychotropic substance, so manufacture, possession, sale, transport, and trafficking are illegal except for authorised scientific or medical purposes.
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