Date: 2026-02-19Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
In a largest operation of its kind by any agency in Madhya Pradesh, officers of Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) seize 43.820 kg high-quality MD/Methamphetamine, more than 260 kg chemicals, and sophisticated modern equipment
**Executive Summary**
The Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) conducted a large-scale operation in Madhya Pradesh, culminating on February 15, 2026, with the dismantling of a clandestine MD/Methamphetamine manufacturing laboratory. This operation resulted in the seizure of 43.820 kg of high-quality MD/Methamphetamine, over 260 kg of chemicals, and sophisticated equipment. The total MD seized during the entire operation was nearly 52 kg, and three individuals were arrested.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Seizure and Arrests:**
* CBN seized 43.820 kg of high-quality MD/Methamphetamine, more than 260 kg of chemicals, and sophisticated equipment.
* The total seizure of MD amounted to nearly 52 kg.
* Three individuals were arrested.
* **Initial Interception:**
* Based on intelligence, CBN intercepted a bus at Mandsaur and recovered 8.172 kg of crystal MD/Methamphetamine from two passengers on February 13, 2026.
* The suspects admitted to transporting the drugs from a clandestine manufacturing laboratory.
* **Laboratory Discovery and Dismantling:**
* A special CBN team located the suspected laboratory near Mhow, Madhya Pradesh.
* Due to hazardous chemical fumes, a specialized team with PPE was mobilized.
* The laboratory was equipped with modern machinery and plant installations.
* Assistance was sought from the Government Opium and Alkaloid Works (GOAW), Neemuch, for dismantling the equipment.
* The plant and machinery were dismantled and seized by CBN by the morning of February 15, 2026.
* **Legal and Investigative Actions:**
* The arrested individuals at BPL Chauraha, Mandsaur have been formally charged under the NDPS Act, 1985.
* The owner of the house operating the laboratory was also detained.
* Further investigation is underway to dismantle the wider drug manufacturing and distribution network.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Arrested Individuals**
* **Impact:** Facing legal charges under the NDPS Act, 1985, and potential imprisonment.
* **Action Required:** Legal representation and participation in the legal proceedings.
**Stakeholder: Owner of the House**
* **Impact:** Detention and involvement in the investigation related to the illegal drug manufacturing.
* **Action Required:** Cooperation with the investigation and potential legal defense.
**Stakeholder: Community in Madhya Pradesh**
* **Impact:** Reduced risk of drug availability due to dismantling of a significant drug manufacturing facility.
* **Action Required:** None specified in the document.
**Stakeholder: Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) Officers**
* **Impact:** Recognition for successfully dismantling a major illegal drug manufacturing facility.
* **Action Required:** Continue the investigation to dismantle the wider drug network.
Key Entities Referenced
NDPS Act, 1985: The primary law under which the contraband was seized and individuals were charged.
Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN): The primary agency responsible for conducting the operation and seizing the drugs.
Madhya Pradesh: The State where the drug manufacturing facility and associated seizures took place.
Government Opium and Alkaloid Works (GOAW), Neemuch: Provided technical expertise to dismantle the sophisticated equipment.
Ministry of Finance
In a largest operation of its kind by any agency in
Madhya Pradesh, officers of Central Bureau of
Narcotics (CBN) seize 43.820 kg high-quality
MD/Methamphetamine, more than 260 kg
chemicals, and sophisticated modern equipment
Total seizure of MD in the entire operation amounts to nearly
52 kg; three arrested
Posted On: 19 FEB 2026 11:53AM by PIB Delhi
In an operation that spanned three days during largest operation of its kind carried out by any agency
in Madhya Pradesh to date, the officers of the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) unearthed the factory
located in Village Thavalay, under Mhow Tehsil, Indore district. The CBN seized 43.820 kg high-quality
MD/Methamphetamine, more than 260 kg chemicals, and sophisticated modern equipment. The total
seizure of MD in the entire operation amounts to 51.992 kg. All recovered contraband and chemicals were
seized under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985.Acting on a specific intelligence received by the Neemuch branch, Madhya Pradesh, of Central Bureau of
Narcotics (CBN), on the night of 13.02.2026, the CBN recovered 8.172 kg of high-quality crystal
MD/Methamphetamine from two passengers travelling in a bus at Mandsaur.
Acting swiftly on the input, a team from CBN Neemuch was constituted and dispatched to Mandsaur.
Given the limited time, officers at Mandsaur were alerted telephonically and promptly intercepted the
suspect bus. After the arrival of the Neemuch, search proceedings were initiated in accordance with the
provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985.
During the search, a passenger was found carrying a suspicious box and admitted it contained MD. On
further inquiry, an accomplice seated separately was identified, and another suspected box was recovered
from beneath his seat. Examination of the boxes led to the recovery of 8.172 kg of high-purity
Methamphetamine (MD) in crystal form, packed in five polythene packets across two boxes. Both accused
admitted possession of the seized contraband. Further interrogation revealed that the accused were
transporting the MD directly from a clandestine manufacturing laboratory.
In view of the revelation, CBN immediately formed a special separate team consisting of officers from
Ujjain, Jaora, Mandsaur, and Neemuch branches to coordinated searches and precisely locate the
suspected laboratory. Further probe helped to locate the laboratory near Mhow.
As a follow-up to this seizure, joint teams of CBN Madhya Pradesh from Neemuch, Mandsaur, Jaora, and
Ujjain launched a search operation from midnight onwards to trace the manufacturing facility. The teams
achieved success the next morning.
In the early morning of 14th February 2026, officers identified the suspected premises matching the given
description, including an iron gate and two palm trees at the entrance. However, strong chemical fumes
and an unbearable odour forced them to hold entry due to health risks. A specialised team with proper
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was immediately mobilised from Neemuch to conduct the search
proceedings.The laboratory was found to be equipped with modern machinery and plant installations. As the
dismantling of the sophisticated equipment required technical expertise, assistance was sought from the
Government Opium and Alkaloid Works (GOAW), Neemuch. A four-member team comprising engineers
and chemists from GOAW Neemuch arrived at the site on the midnight of 15.02.2026. The plant and
machinery were dismantled and seized by CBN. The entire proceedings were concluded early morning of
15th February 2026.The two persons intercepted at BPL Chauraha, Mandsaur have been formally charged under
relevant provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985. The owner of the house where the clandestine laboratory
was operating has also been detained during the proceedings.
Further investigation is underway to identify and dismantle the wider network involved in manufacturing
and distribution of synthetic drugs.
This operation highlights the commitment, coordination, and dedication of CBN officers, who, despite
limited leads and significant time constraints, successfully carried out one of the largest synthetic drug
laboratory busts in the State. The swift intelligence-based action, inter-district coordination, and technical
support from GOAW Neemuch led to the dismantling of a major illegal drug manufacturing facility.
The CBN reiterates its firm resolve to curb the menace of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and
make India drug free.
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NB/KMN
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