Gujarat ATS Busts International Drug Export Racket, Arrests Surat Businessman
In a significant crackdown on illicit drug trafficking, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has apprehended Surat-based businessman Nikunj Gadhiya, aged 28, for his alleged involvement in the illegal export of the analgesic drug etomidate. The arrest follows specific intelligence indicating that Gadhiya was mislabelling the substance as aloe vera powder to evade detection and ship it to Southeast Asian countries where it is classified as a narcotic or psychotropic drug under local legislation.
Details of the Operation and Accused
The ATS investigation revealed that Gadhiya operated through multiple firms, including DWN Bioscience, Neutral Pharma, and Om Herbs. He collaborated with Bhautik Padmani, 32, of Jani Pharma, and Chetan Vavadiya, 28, of Rudra Enterprises, to orchestrate the scheme. The group is accused of preparing false invoices and forged customs clearance documents, misdeclaring the contents of shipments, and routing consignments via air cargo from Mumbai airport.
Harsh Upadhyay, deputy superintendent of police with the ATS, confirmed Gadhiya's arrest, while Padmani and Vavadiya are currently under investigation. During interrogations at the ATS office in Ahmedabad, the trio allegedly admitted that the seized parcels were destined for Thailand and Malaysia.
Mislabelling Tactics and International Links
To bypass regulatory scrutiny, the accused falsely labelled etomidate powder not only as "aloe vera powder" but also as "Ginopol-24 powder" and other personal care or cosmetic raw materials. The ATS highlighted that etomidate is a controlled substance in key Southeast Asian markets: it is listed as a Schedule II substance under Thailand's Psychotropic Substances Act, a 'Group B' drug under Malaysia's Poisons Act, and a Class C drug under Singapore's Misuse of Drugs Act.
Upon receiving intelligence, the ATS promptly notified the commissioner of customs in Mumbai and requested FedEx to place suspicious parcels on hold. Examination using a Raman spectrograph-based drug detection kit confirmed the presence of etomidate powder in the shipments.
Scale of the Operation and Financial Implications
Investigators allege that Gadhiya's firm exported approximately 50 kg of etomidate mislabelled as aloe vera powder. Similarly, Vavadiya exported about 50 kg declared as Ginopol-24 powder to Malaysia and Thailand, while Padmani exported around 25 kg of the drug misdeclared as aloe vera powder or carbomer. The ATS estimated the overseas market price at $4,000 to $5,000 per kilogram, indicating a substantial financial motive behind the illicit trade.
Furthermore, the ATS claimed that the accused were in contact with Chua Zhi Xuan, an individual linked to a Malaysian cartel, underscoring the international dimensions of the racket. Thai police have reportedly seized earlier shipments, adding to the gravity of the case.
This arrest underscores the ongoing efforts by Indian authorities to combat cross-border drug smuggling and highlights the sophisticated methods employed by traffickers to exploit global supply chains. The investigation continues as the ATS delves deeper into the network's operations and connections.
