NCB, Delhi Police bust secret meth lab in NCR; Mexican cartel, Tihar Jail warden in spotlight

A clandestine Methamphetamine manufacturing lab has been busted in Delhi-NCR in a joint operation carried out by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Delhi Police, a statement released on October 29 said.

As per the NCB statement, the lab was meant to make synthetic drugs like methamphetamine for export to other countries as well as consumption in India. Mexican CJNG drug cartel (Cartel De Jalisco Nueva Generacion) was also involved in it, the statement said.

The lab was located in Kasana Industrial Area of district Gautam Budh Nagar. The raiding team found about 95 kg of Methamphetamine in solid and liquid forms. As per the statement, chemicals like Acetone, Sodium Hydroxide, Methylene Chloride, Premium grade Ethanol, Toluene, Red phosphorous, Ethyl Acetate etc and imported machinery for manufacturing was also found.

A Delhi-based businessman was found inside the factory at the time of the raid along with a Tihar Jail warden were instrumental in establishing the illegal factory, NCB said.

The businessman had previously been arrested by Department of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in an NDPS case and had been lodged in Tihar jail where he came in contact with the Jail warden who became his accomplice, the statement revealed.

A Mumbai-based chemist was in charge of manufacturing the drug and quality of the drug was tested by a member of Mexican cartel residing in Delhi, NCB said.

According to the release signed by Gyaneshwar Singh, DDG (Operations), this year, NCB has busted such secret labs in Gandhinagar and Amreli in Gujarat, Jodhpur and Sirohi in Rajasthan, and Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh.