Jaipur/Udaipur: The anti-gangster task force (AGTF) of the Rajasthan police and Pratapgarh police launched one of the biggest crackdowns on a narcotics manufacturing unit Wednesday, leading to the seizure of mephedrone (MD) and precursor chemicals worth about Rs 50 crore and the arrest of the network’s kingpin.Pratapgarh SP B Aditya said 38-year-old cartel leader Jamshed Khan alias Lala had been wanted for a long time in methamphetamine production and smuggling cases. Police recovered 100gm of mephedrone, over 70kg liquid chemicals, 17.3kg powder used in mephedrone production, along with equipment, machines and a motorcycle used for the operation.The breakthrough has links back to a raid conducted on Dec 16, 2024, in Devaldi village of the district, when police seized equipment and narcotics used for MD production, including 11.4kg of liquid MDMA valued at Rs 40 crore, 14.7kg of other liquid chemicals, 4.9kg of chemicals and 2.5kg of white powder. But three suspects — Yakub, Jamshed and Sahil — had managed to escape. Police later announced a reward of Rs 25,000 each for their capture.Police investigations revealed that Yakub was laundering drug money into buying assets. In 2024, he bought a lodge in the Hussain Tekri area of Jaora, Madhya Pradesh, in his wife’s name. The property, valued at around Rs 1 crore, was sealed on Aug 28 by the Pratapgarh police under the NDPS Act, following a nod from the govt of India’s competent authority.Khan’s arrest marks a significant blow to the narcotics network in the state, with police calling it one of the biggest crackdowns in recent years. According to police, mephedrone is a dangerous synthetic stimulant classified as a party drug. It increases dopamine release, creating intense euphoria, energy and alertness but also causes severe health risks including addiction, psychosis and organ damage, and is banned under NDPS Act.
