In a startling revelation from Surat, police have uncovered that a chemist accused of running a drug manufacturing lab in a city mall was driven to crime by massive losses in foreign exchange (forex) trading. The accused, Brijesh Bhalodiya, 28, an MSc in Chemistry, allegedly began producing the synthetic drug mephedrone (MD) to clear a debt of approximately Rs 4 lakh.
The Forex Trap and The London Kingpin
Investigations by the Special Operations Group (SOG) have revealed a direct link between the illicit drug operation and financial ruin in online trading. According to police, Bhalodiya was introduced to forex trading by the alleged mastermind of the racket, Janak Jagani, who is currently residing in London. Jagani not only taught Bhalodiya trading but also later pressured him to manufacture mephedrone to pay off the substantial debts he had accumulated.
SOG inspector Tushar Pandya provided details on the accused's background. "Bhalodiya was doing his job sincerely at the company in Sachin," Pandya stated. "Jagani pressured him to make MD to pay off his debts." Bhalodiya, who had recently been promoted to senior chemist at Aether Industries with a monthly salary of around Rs 35,000, saw his financial situation spiral out of control due to the trading losses.
How The Drug Operation Was Run
To execute the drug manufacturing plan, Bhalodiya used his position and access at the chemical company. Police allege that he would steal precursor chemicals required for making mephedrone from his company's warehouse. He carried these chemicals out discreetly, often hidden in his tiffin box or other containers that he brought from home.
The actual production took place at a rented space within the Dkria Food and Pharma Analytical Laboratory, located in a mall. The laboratory's owner, Isha Anghan, has now come under police scrutiny. Authorities discovered that Anghan was in regular contact with kingpin Janak Jagani and had provided Bhalodiya space in her lab without conducting proper verification. The SOG called Anghan in for questioning on Saturday and is probing her financial transactions to determine the extent of her involvement.
Ongoing Investigations and Implications
The case highlights a dangerous nexus between financial crime, online trading pitfalls, and the narcotics trade. Police are deepening their probe into the financial dealings of all involved to unravel the full network. The fact that the alleged mastermind is operating from London adds an international dimension to the investigation.
This incident also raises serious questions about security and oversight in chemical industries and analytical laboratories, where controlled substances can be diverted for illegal purposes. The Surat SOG's findings underscore how personal debt and coercion can lead individuals with specialized skills down a path of serious crime.
