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Vapi | Gujarat — In a chilling reminder of Gujarat’s growing narcotics problem, the state Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in a joint operation with the Vapi Special Operations Group (SOG) uncovered a clandestine synthetic drug manufacturing unit in Chala, Vapi. The raid, carried out on Thursday, led to the arrest of five men, including a parole absconding convict and his son, exposing a well-organised network operating under the guise of an industrial unit.
According to ATS officials, the factory was secretly functioning inside rented premises in the outskirts of Vapi’s Chala area. “The unit was camouflaged as a small-scale industrial setup. During the search, we seized chemicals, manufacturing equipment, and ready-to-sell synthetic narcotics,” said an ATS officer, adding that the seizure has been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for detailed analysis.
Accused Included Parole Jumper and His Son
The arrested mastermind is a convicted criminal who had been absconding after jumping parole. His son, who allegedly handled the day-to-day operations, was also taken into custody along with three associates who worked on production and supply.
“The preliminary probe shows that the factory was producing synthetic drugs for supply across Gujarat, Surat, Valsad, and even neighboring Maharashtra. This was not a small operation—it had been running for months with a wide distribution network. We are tracking their financial trails and contacts to dismantle the syndicate completely,” the officer added.
Case Registered Under NDPS Act
An FIR has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and further arrests are likely as interrogation continues. Investigators suspect that the accused had connections with a larger interstate drug syndicate.
Prohibition Law Under Question
This latest bust has once again ignited debate over Gujarat’s prohibition laws. Despite a strict ban on liquor, the state has increasingly become a hotbed for narcotics trade. In the last seven years, drugs worth a staggering ₹40,000 crore have been seized from Gujarat’s coastal belt—averaging seizures worth ₹15 crore every single day.
“Prohibition has become a hollow law in Gujarat. Liquor and narcotics flow freely while the government has no concrete action plan. What’s worse, synthetic drugs are far more dangerous than alcohol, and they are spreading rapidly in youth circles,” said social activist Sanjay Desai, demanding accountability.
Drug Menace Growing Despite Seizures
While the government boasts about Gujarat being a “safe and progressive model state,” the reality on the ground paints a darker picture. Criminals continue to exploit the state’s coastal routes, using industrial covers to mask illegal activities.
“This is not just a law-and-order problem, but a public health emergency,” said a senior retired IPS officer. “Every such bust highlights how deeply the drug mafia has penetrated Gujarat. Unless systemic reforms are introduced, the situation will only worsen.”
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