A covert drug manufacturing operation hidden behind the façade of a food testing laboratory has been uncovered in Surat, revealing a sophisticated international racket with alleged direct links to London.
What initially appeared to be a routine narcotics arrest led the Surat Special Operations Group (SOG) to a high-tech laboratory in the Parvat Patiya area, where highly educated chemists were allegedly producing premium-grade mephedrone for elite markets, exposing a network operating both locally and abroad.
According to multiple media reports, the Surat SOG raided the ‘Dikriya Food and Pharma Analytical Laboratory’ located inside Polaris Shopping Center on Parvat Patiya Vesu Canal Road. The facility, officially functioning as a food testing laboratory, was allegedly being used as a large-scale drug manufacturing unit.
Police seized high-purity crystal mephedrone, flammable chemicals, modern machinery and laboratory equipment during the operation. The total value of seized property was estimated at Rs 2.92 lakh.
The case surfaced on January 1, 2026, when the SOG apprehended 21-year-old Jill Bhupatbhai Thummar on Amroli Chhaprabhatha Road. He was allegedly found in possession of 236.780 grams of MD drugs.
During strict interrogation, Jill reportedly disclosed that the drugs were not sourced from another state but were manufactured within Surat city itself. Acting on this confession, multiple SOG teams were formed and the investigation was expanded.
The trail led investigators to the Parvat Patiya laboratory, where a raid uncovered machinery such as a vacuum oven, vacuum pump, overhead stirrer, digital weighing machine, and various chemicals. Police also recovered 16.950 grams of ready-to-sell mephedrone worth Rs 50,850.
Other seized materials included 200 ml of mixed chemical valued at Rs 20,000, one litre of HB chemical, five litres of H2SO4, and flammable substances including methyl amine.
Investigators noted that the accused were highly educated. The main accused, Brijesh Vrajlal Bhalodiya, aged 28, holds a BSc degree in Chemistry and was working as a senior chemist or senior lab technician at the Ether company in Surat, claimed reports.
He allegedly misused his chemical expertise to manufacture banned mephedrone, also known as MD or meow meow. He was assisted by Khushal Vallabhbhai Ranpariya, aged 27, who allegedly supplied drugs, and Bharatbhai alias Bhano Damjibhai Lathiya, aged 32.
In another account, Brijesh was assisted by two Maliba College students, both holding master’s degrees in chemistry.
According to police investigations, the trio allegedly manufactured a special blue-coloured variant of mephedrone, popularly known as Blue Crystal. This high-purity drug was marketed as a premium-quality substance, reportedly in demand at elite parties, and sold at exorbitant prices.
The accused, reports added, admitted to manufacturing and selling over five kilograms of drugs in the past two months at a rate of Rs 5,000 per gram. To avoid police detection, sales were conducted through social media platforms.
Media houses reported that the police claimed that the actual mastermind of the racket was Janak Jadani, who operated the entire network from London.
The investigation revealed that financial assistance and operational guidance for the laboratory were provided from London. The accused were allegedly acting on instructions from the London-based handler, making the operation an international conspiracy aimed at pushing drugs among the youth of Surat. The London connection emerged as a major twist during the investigation.
According to SOG DCP Rajdeep Singh Nakum, three people, including a senior chemist, have been arrested so far. Police have seized and are examining digital evidence and three mobile phones worth Rs 1.15 lakh to trace the London-based mastermind.
Strict action has been initiated against all accused under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and further investigation into the wider network is ongoing.
Also Read: Drugs Seized In Gujarat, No Trace Of Kingpins https://www.vibesofindia.com/drugs-seized-in-gujarat-no-trace-of-kingpins/
