Mephedrone Worth ₹10 Crore Seized in Madhya Pradesh’s Ratlam, 15 Arrested

Police in Madhya Pradesh’s Ratlam district busted an illegal mephedrone (MD) manufacturing unit operating from a residential house, seizing 10.93 kg of the synthetic drug valued at over ₹10 crore and arresting 15 persons . A 16-year-old boy was detained in the case.

The raid was conducted at the house of Dilawar Lala (50) in Chikalana village, around 50 km from the district headquarters, following a specific tip-off. Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar said those arrested included family members and workers involved in the operation.

Police recovered a fake Army identity card , a police uniform , two illegal 12-bore guns , 91 live cartridges , along with sandalwood and two four-wheelers. Two peacocks were also found being kept illegally on the premises.

Mephedrone, commonly known as MD or “meow-meow” , is a synthetic stimulant that can be manufactured in small clandestine laboratories using chemical precursors. Officials say synthetic drugs have increasingly replaced plant-based narcotics due to low production cost and high profit margins .

Though the seizure appears significant, enforcement agencies note that such recoveries account for only a small fraction of total circulation . Based on national trends, it is estimated that around 1,000 to 3,000 kg of synthetic stimulants like MD may be manufactured and circulated annually in India , with most of it escaping detection.

According to government data released by the PIB , mephedrone seizures have risen sharply nationwide — from 688 kg in 2023 to 3,391 kg in 2024 — highlighting the rapid spread of synthetic drugs. In 2024 alone, law-enforcement agencies seized narcotics worth over ₹25,000 crore across the country.

Officials said increasing the frequency of such raids and lab busts remains crucial to bringing the synthetic drug menace under control.

A case has been registered and further investigation is underway to trace interstate and financial links connected to the operation.