Jaisalmer: Vimal BhatiaThe Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) and local police have busted an illegal mephedrone (MD) drug manufacturing unit in Mithoda village under Siwana police station limits in Rajasthan’s Balotra district, exposing a network allegedly involved in manufacturing and supplying the synthetic drug.Three accused, including a doctor, have been arrested, while raw MD, chemicals, manufacturing equipment and cash worth Rs 3.41 lakh were seized.A Kia Seltos car was also confiscated.ANTF Inspector General Vikas Kumar said the operation was part of the agency’s continued crackdown on drug traffickers across Rajasthan. Acting on specific intelligence that Suresh Kumar Vishnoi had established an illegal MD manufacturing unit at his residence, an ANTF team informed the local police and conducted a raid.During the search of the house and surrounding premises, the team recovered raw MD, chemicals and equipment allegedly used to manufacture the drug.Three men, identified as Suresh Kumar Vishnoi, Dr Mukesh Vishnoi and Utkarsh Vishnoi, were arrested.According to ANTF Deputy Inspector General Abhijit Singh, Suresh Kumar had completed his graduation and unsuccessfully attempted several government recruitment examinations, including those for patwari, gram sevak, Rajasthan Police, forest guard and sub-inspector posts.In 2022, he moved to Bengaluru and began working in pharmaceutical distribution as a medical representative alongside a friend. After working in the business for around two years, he reportedly felt that the earnings were insufficient. He returned to his village in 2024 and allegedly came into contact with drug traffickers.Initially, he allegedly became involved in purchasing, selling and supplying MD drugs in nearby areas. Driven by the prospect of higher profits, he decided to manufacture the drug himself. Investigators said he allegedly learnt the manufacturing process by watching videos on YouTube and social media and subsequently began producing MD at his residence with the help of chemicals, equipment and associates.The ANTF said Suresh Kumar allegedly developed a supply network through his contacts and used his associates to procure chemicals and other materials.He reportedly called Dr Mukesh Vishnoi and Utkarsh Vishnoi to his residence to purchase a consignment of MD. The two allegedly arrived in a car to buy the drug.Investigators suspect that the accused used the doctor’s contacts to supply MD in Jalore and areas around Siwana, believing that his medical profession would attract less suspicion.Police also recovered Rs 3,41,700, allegedly linked to the purchase and sale of MD, from Dr Mukesh Vishnoi’s car. Further investigation is underway to establish the extent of the network, trace other associates and determine the scale of the alleged drug manufacturing and distribution operation.
