Date: 2026-07-13Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
CBN Madhya Pradesh Unit busts high-tech MD manufacturing lab in Pune; Two masterminds arrested from Ujjain and Jodhpur under multi-city ‘Operation Vajra’
**Executive Summary**
Between July 1 and July 10, 2026, the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) dismantled a high-tech Mephedrone (MD) laboratory in Pune and arrested two masterminds under "Operation Vajra." This operation is a continuation of an interstate investigation initiated in February 2026 into a synthetic drug trafficking syndicate. All seizures and arrests were conducted under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985, to further the national vision of a "Drug-Free India."
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Operation Vajra Outcomes**
* **Lab Dismantling:** A sophisticated, high-tech MD manufacturing facility located in Diggi, Bhosri, Pune, was dismantled.
* **Key Arrests:** Two chief conspirators were apprehended—one from Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh) on July 3, 2026, and a co-conspirator from Jodhpur (Rajasthan) on July 9, 2026.
* **Seizures:** Officers seized digital machinery, laboratory equipment, heavy glassware, precursor chemicals, and safety gear used for manufacturing synthetic drugs.
**Investigation History**
* **February 2026 Incident:** The investigation began with the interception of a bus in Mandsaur and the seizure of 8.17 kg of Mephedrone.
* **Mhow Laboratory:** Subsequent searches led to a lab in Thavlay, Mhow, where 43.82 kg of Mephedrone and 261.32 kg of precursor chemicals were seized.
* **Evasive Tactics:** The primary mastermind used forged identity documents to change locations across several states before being tracked through undercover operations.
**CBN Mandate and Annual Performance**
* **Regulatory Role:** Headquartered in Gwalior, the CBN supervises opium cultivation and regulates international trade in psychotropic substances under the Ministry of Finance.
* **Current Year Statistics:** In the current calendar year, the CBN has registered 142 cases, made 193 arrests, and busted four clandestine laboratories.
**Impact Analysis**
**Interstate Drug Syndicate**
**Impact**
The syndicate has lost a major manufacturing hub in Pune and its primary financial and coordinating leadership.
**Action Required**
The accused individuals must face legal proceedings under the NDPS Act, 1985; remaining members remain subject to ongoing investigations.
**Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN)**
**Impact**
The successful operation reinforces the agency's commitment to dismantling organized trafficking networks and its role as a law enforcement authority.
**Action Required**
The CBN must continue its progress on the "Drug-Free India" mission and process the seized equipment and chemicals as evidence for further prosecution.
**State Police (Ujjain Police)**
**Impact**
Local law enforcement played a critical role by providing assistance in the arrest of a high-profile absconding mastermind.
**Action Required**
Maintain collaborative intelligence-sharing channels with federal agencies like the CBN to facilitate interstate arrests.
Key Entities Referenced
NDPS Act, 1985: The primary legislation under which the Central Bureau of Narcotics conducted seizures and arrested the conspirators involved in synthetic drug manufacturing.
Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN): The primary regulatory and law enforcement agency under the Ministry of Finance responsible for dismantling the drug trafficking syndicate and supervising opium poppy cultivation.
Operation Vajra: A multi-city coordinated enforcement initiative led by the CBN to dismantle clandestine laboratories and arrest key masterminds of drug trafficking networks.
Drug-Free India (Nasha Mukt Bharat): The national vision and initiative aimed at dismantling organized drug trafficking networks and eliminating substance abuse across the country.
Pune, Ujjain, and Jodhpur: The central geographic locations in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan where the illicit manufacturing laboratory was dismantled and arrests were made.
Ministry of Finance
CBN Madhya Pradesh Unit busts high-tech MD
manufacturing lab in Pune; Two masterminds
arrested from Ujjain and Jodhpur under multi-city
‘Operation Vajra’
प्रव तथ: 13 JUL 2026 8:21PM by PIB Delhi
In a major breakthrough against interstate synthetic drug trafficking syndicate, the Central Bureau of
Narcotics (CBN), Madhya Pradesh Unit has dismantled a sophisticated Mephedrone (MD)
manufacturing laboratory in Pune, Maharashtra, and arrested the two chief conspirators of the syndicate
from Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh) and Jodhpur (Rajasthan) under Operation Vajra.
The operation was carried out by the Preventive Branch, Office of the Deputy Narcotics
Commissioner, CBN, Neemuch, on the basis of specific intelligence. The investigation and coordinated
operations were conducted between 1st-10th July 2026.
During the operation, officers of CBN seized a high-tech illicit MD manufacturing laboratory in Pune
along with sophisticated machinery, laboratory equipment, precursor chemicals and safety gear used for
manufacturing synthetic drugs. Two accused, including the chief conspirators, were arrested under the
NDPS Act, 1985.The operation is a continuation of the investigation initiated in February 2026, when CBN Neemuch
intercepted a passenger bus at Mandsaur and seized 8.17 kg Mephedrone. Subsequent searches led to
the detection of an illicit laboratory at Thavlay, Mhow, resulting in the seizure of 43.82 kg Mephedrone,
261.32 kg precursor chemicals, and advanced manufacturing equipments.
Based on sustained intelligence and extensive interstate investigation, the Preventive Team tracked the
absconding mastermind, who had been continuously changing locations across several states using forged
identity documents. After an intensive undercover operation, the accused was successfully arrested from
Ujjain during the late-night hours of 3rd July 2026 with valuable assistance from the Ujjain (M.P.)
Police.
During the extensive investigation it was revealed that the syndicate had established another sophisticated
MD manufacturing facility in Diggi, Bhosri, Pune, financed and coordinated by a co-conspirator based in
Jodhpur. Acting swiftly, CBN teams carried out synchronised searches on the late night of 9th July 2026
in Pune and Jodhpur simultaneously, arresting the second conspirator and dismantling the clandestine
laboratory. Sophisticated digital machinery, laboratory equipment, heavy glassware, precursor chemicalsand safety gear were seized during the operation. All seized machinery, equipment and chemicals have
been taken into possession under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985. Further investigation is in
progress.
The Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) is a regulatory and law enforcement agency under the Ministry
of Finance that supervises the legal cultivation of opium poppy, procures the harvest from licensed
farmers, and regulates the international trade of psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals.
Headquartered in Gwalior, the CBN balances this strict regulatory oversight with active drug enforcement,
investigating narcotics offenses and seizing illicit drugs and assets under the NDPS Act to prevent
trafficking and substance abuse.
During the current calendar year, the CBN, has registered 142 cases and effected 193 arrests including
busting of four clandestine labs. Through such sustained enforcement actions, CBN continues to
demonstrate its unwavering commitment towards dismantling organised drug trafficking networks and
achieving the national vision of a Drug-Free India (Nasha Mukt Bharat).
***
SR/KMN
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