New Delhi: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence seized 270 kg of mephedrone worth ₹81 crore and arrested six people after busting a multi-state narcotics syndicate that used chicken feed consignments to transport drugs.
The seizure followed a coordinated operation carried out on January 11 and 12 across multiple states. Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers intercepted a truck in Rajasthan that claimed to be carrying agro-based cargo. However, a detailed inspection revealed a large quantity of mephedrone concealed under chicken feed, which the syndicate used as cover cargo to evade checks.
Officers immediately apprehended the truck driver and other syndicate members who escorted the consignment. According to officials, the concealment method showed a new and calculated modus operandi aimed at avoiding detection during domestic transport.
Subsequently, DRI teams conducted follow-up searches at several locations in Haryana. As a result, they arrested key members involved in the manufacture and supply of the synthetic drug. During these searches, officers also recovered raw materials from a dismantled clandestine drug manufacturing unit.
DRI mephedrone seizure exposes multi-state drug network
Officials said the operation demanded sustained surveillance, close inter-state coordination and precise execution. The seizure and arrests helped investigators unravel a well-organised narcotics network that operated across several states.
The DRI said that during the 2025–26 financial year, it had already busted six illegal factories manufacturing synthetic drugs. These included three mephedrone units in Latur in April 2025, Bhopal in August 2025 and Wardha in December 2025. Agencies also detected alprazolam units in Vapi in November 2025 and Hyderabad in October 2025, along with a methamphetamine unit in Greater Noida in October 2025.
Officials stressed that synthetic narcotics pose serious risks to public health and national security. Therefore, the agency said it continued to rely on intelligence-driven enforcement and nationwide coordination to curb drug manufacturing and trafficking.
The DRI reiterated its commitment to the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’ and said it would intensify action against organised drug syndicates across the country.
