Ahmedabad: The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) arrested Surat-based businessman Nikunj Gadhiya (28) for allegedly exporting analgesic drug etomidate by “mislabelling” it as aloe vera powder.The ATS said it acted on specific intelligence that etomidate was being illegally shipped to Southeast Asian destinations where it is treated as a narcotic or psychotropic substance under local laws. The ATS stated that Gadhiya, operating through DWN Bioscience, Neutral Pharma and Om Herbs, along with Bhautik Padmani (32) of Jani Pharma, and Chetan Vavadiya (28) of Rudra Enterprises, prepared false bills and forged customs clearance documents, misdeclared the contents, and routed consignments through air cargo from Mumbai airport.
Harsh Upadhyay, deputy superintendent of police, ATS, said that Gadhiya was arrested, while Padmani and Vavadiya are being investigated. According to the ATS, the group falsely labelled etomidate powder as “aloe vera powder” and, in some instances, as “Ginopol-24 powder” and other personal care or cosmetic raw materials to evade scrutiny. The agency noted that etomidate is classified as a Schedule II substance in Thailand under the Psychotropic Substances Act, a ‘Group B’ drug in Malaysia under the Poisons Act, and a Class C drug in Singapore under the Misuse of Drugs Act.After receiving the intelligence input, the ATS informed the commissioner of customs, Mumbai, and asked FedEx to place suspect parcels on hold. The parcels were examined using Raman spectrograph-based drug detection kit, which indicated the substance was etomidate powder, officials stated.During questioning at the ATS office in Ahmedabad, the three men allegedly admitted that the seized parcel was intended for Thailand and Malaysia. The ATS also claimed the accused were in contact with a Malaysian cartel-linked individual identified as Chua Zhi Xuan.Investigators alleged Gadhiya’s firm exported about 50kg of etomidate mislabelled as aloe vera powder; Vavadiya exported about 50kg declared as Ginopol-24 powder to Malaysia and Thailand; and Padmani exported about 25kg of the drug misdeclared as aloe vera powder or carbomer. The ATS estimated the overseas price at $4,000–$5,000 per kg and said Thai police seized earlier shipments.
