Small UP village, Rs 200-crore drug haul: Mephedrone unit busted

On Thursday, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) jointly dismantled an illegal mephedrone manufacturing unit in the Jalaun district of Uttar Pradesh, India. The unit's seizure involved 1,102.88 kg of drugs and precursor chemicals, valued at over Rs 200 crore, according to officials.

Two individuals, Hemendra Kushwah, 27, and Santosh, 37, were arrested during the operation. The investigation began after a confidential tip-off about a large drug manufacturing facility located in the remote, densely populated Orai area of Jalaun district. DRI officials, in collaboration with ATS commandos, conducted the raid in the early hours of Thursday and discovered a fully functional laboratory for creating synthetic drugs.

The operation yielded around 184 kg of semi-finished drugs, 582.2 kg of precursor chemicals, and various equipment. Additional searches at the accused's residences resulted in the recovery of further seized materials. The DRI reported that the combined value of the seized drugs and precursor chemicals exceeded Rs 200 crore, reflecting an estimated international market value.

The two arrested men will be interrogated to uncover the broader network involved in drug manufacturing and trafficking.