A major drug cartel in Rajasthan has been dismantled through a joint operation by the Rajasthan and Maharashtra Police, alongside the Narcotics Control Bureau. The cartel used a buffalo barn in Barmer, Rajasthan, as a front to produce Mephedrone and Ketamine. Drugs and equipment worth Rs 50 crore were seized from the site, which was connected to Raigad, Maharashtra.
A probe into the matter has further revealed that the cartel was manufacturing other synthetic drugs at clandestine labs in remote areas as well. Officials involved said that around 12 litres of liquid drugs were seized during the operation.
Initially, the detection of a clandestine facility at the village of Dholakia in Barmer district tipped off the investigation. The police found precursor chemicals and lab equipment used to manufacture the synthetic drug Mephedrone.
A search of the premises by the NCB of Mumbai and Raigad Police led to the recovery of approximately 34 kg of Ketamine in liquid form, along with precursor chemicals and lab equipment that had been used to produce Ketamine.
NCB investigations have revealed the possible involvement of a mastermind who had been a part of drug trafficking cases earlier as well. The seamless sharing of information among the Barmer Police, Raigad Police, and NCB zones at Jodhpur, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai helped in executing this extensive bust.
