**Summary:**
In response to concerns regarding the rising use and illegal manufacturing of Mephedrone (MD) drugs among youth in Rajasthan, particularly in districts like Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Bikaner, and Jaipur, the Ministry of Home Affairs addressed Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3855 on August 12, 2025.
During the year 2024-25, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) dismantled two clandestine Mephedrone manufacturing laboratories in the Sirohi and Barmer districts of Rajasthan. These operations resulted in the seizure of 74.08 kg of Mephedrone and the arrest of five individuals. The Barmer operation was a joint effort between the NCB and Barmer Police. Additionally, in September 2024, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) busted a Mephedrone manufacturing unit in the Barmer district, leading to the arrest of one person.
The government has implemented several measures to dismantle the illegal Mephedrone drug supply chain and crack down on its production and distribution networks. These measures include: intensified intelligence gathering and sharing, proactive identification and dismantling of clandestine laboratories, financial investigations against drug traffickers under Chapter VA of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, sharing of Red Flag Indicators (RFI) for sensitizing field officers, and the distribution of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) by the Ministry of Home Affairs to all State and Union Territory Directors General of Police (DGPs) to address precursor chemical trafficking, clandestine laboratories, and diversion of controlled substances and precursors.
The Government of Rajasthan has operationalized an Anti-Narcotic Task Force (ANTF) via an order dated October 8, 2024.
Key Entities Referenced
SHRI RAHUL KASWAN: Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question in Lok Sabha regarding the illegal manufacturing of Mephedrone.
MD Mephedrone: A synthetic stimulant drug, the illegal manufacturing and use of which is the subject of the parliamentary question.
Rajasthan: A state in India where the illegal manufacturing and use of Mephedrone is reportedly rising, according to the question.
Narcotics Control Bureau NCB: The Indian central drug law enforcement agency responsible for fighting drug trafficking and abuse.
SHRI NITYANAND RAI: Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs, who provided the answer to the parliamentary question.
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence DRI: An Indian intelligence agency responsible for combating smuggling and customs fraud.
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances NDPS Act, 1985: An act of the Parliament of India that prohibits a person from producing, possessing, selling, purchasing, transporting, storing, and/or consuming any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance.
AntiNarcotic Task Force ANTF: A dedicated task force operationalized by the Government of Rajasthan to combat narcotics.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3855
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12TH AUGUST, 2025/ SRAVANA 21, 1947 (SAKA)
ILLEGAL MANUFACTURING OF MEPHEDRONE
3855. SHRI RAHUL KASWAN:
Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the rising use and illegal
manufacturing of MD (Mephedrone) drugs among the youth in Rajasthan,
especially in districts such as Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Bikaner and
Jaipur;
(b) whether any recent arrests have been made of individuals involved in
producing MD drugs at home in these regions;
(c) the measures taken by the Government to dismantle the illegal MD drug
supply chain and crack down on its production and distribution networks;
and
(d) whether the Government proposes to set up a dedicated Narcotics Task
Force in drug-prone districts of Rajasthan and to launch youth awareness
and rehabilitation campaigns?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI NITYANAND RAI)
(a) & (b): During the year 2024–25, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has
dismantled 02 clandestine laboratories involved in the manufacture of
Mephedrone at Sirohi and Barmer districts in Rajasthan and seized a total
of 74.08 Kg of the drug and arrested 05 persons in connection with these-2-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 3855 FOR 12.08.2025
seizures. Busting of clandestine laboratory at Barmer was conducted by a
joint operation of NCB with Barmer Police. In addition, a drug manufacturing
unit being used for producing Mephedrone was busted in September, 2024
at Barmer district, Rajasthan by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)
and 01 person was arrested.
(c): The measures taken by Government to dismantle the illegal
Mephedrone drug supply chain and crack down on its production and
distribution networks are as under:
(i) Intelligence gathering and sharing mechanisms to identify and target
networks involved in the illicit manufacture, trafficking, and
distribution of synthetic drugs like Mephedrone has been intensified.
(ii) Clandestine laboratories engaged in the manufacture of Mephedrone
are being proactively identified and dismantled through coordinated
operations.
(iii) Financial investigations are being conducted against drug traffickers
under Chapter V-A of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances
(NDPS) Act, 1985.-3-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 3855 FOR 12.08.2025
(iv) Red Flag Indicators (RFI) for sensitisation of field officers regarding
clandestine laboratories involved in manufacturing of Synthetic Drugs
including Mephedrone was shared by NCB with States/Union
Territories.
(v) A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been shared by the Ministry
of Home Affairs with the Director Generals of Police (DGsP) of all
States and Union Territories to address the issues relating to
Precursor Chemical trafficking including red flag indicators,
clandestine laboratories and diversion of Controlled Substances and
Precursors.
(d): Government of Rajasthan has operationalised Anti-Narcotic Task
Force (ANTF) vide their Order dated 08.10.2024.
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