NCB busts meth lab in joint operations with Delhi police

NCB and Delhi police bust meth lab in Gautam Budh Nagar, arrest 5, seize 95 kg drugs, uncover international syndicate.

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), in coordination with the Delhi police Special Cell, has busted a methamphetamine manufacturing unit in Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Budh Nagar, arrested five persons, and seized about 95 kg of the drugs. The laboratory was allegedly set up by a Delhi-based businessman along with a Tihar Jail warden, and a Mexican cartel member was also part of the syndicate.

The agency initially received a tip-off about the illegal laboratory being established in the national capital region (NCR) for the production of synthetic drugs like meth for export to other countries as well as consumption in India. Members of the Mexican cartel De Jalisco Nueva Generacion were also said to be involved.

Based on the inputs, the NCB conducted a search in a factory located in the Kasana Industrial Area of Gautam Budh Nagar on October 25 and found about 95 kg of meth in solid and liquid forms.

“Chemicals like acetone, sodium hydroxide, methylene chloride, premium grade ethanol, toluene, red phosphorus, ethyl acetate, etc. and imported machinery for manufacturing were also found. The Special Cell of Delhi police also participated in the operation as the drug network had footprints across several places in NCR of Delhi,” said NCB Deputy Director General (Ops) Gyaneshwar Singh.

He said during preliminary enquiry the agency found that the Delhi-based businessman, who was in the factory at the time of the raid, and the Tihar Jail warden were instrumental in establishing the illegal factory, procuring chemicals required for manufacturing of meth from various sources and importing the machinery.

“The businessman had previously been arrested by the Department of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), in an NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) case and had been lodged in Tihar jail where he came in contact with the jail warden who became his accomplice,” said Mr. Singh.

A chemist from Mumbai was roped in by them for manufacturing the drugs and its was tested by a member of Mexican cartel residing in Delhi.