Rs.800 Crore Worth of ‘Meow Meow’ Drugs Seized in Major Bhiwandi Operation

In a significant victory against drug trafficking, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested two individuals involved in manufacturing MD (mephedrone) drugs in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra. The operation, conducted in a residential flat, led to the seizure of 792 kg of liquid MD drugs valued at approximately Rs 800 crore, marking one of the largest drug busts in recent times.

The ATS had been meticulously tracking the suspects for some time, culminating in the successful raid on the Bhiwandi flat, where the drugs were being produced. The scale of the operation highlights the growing problem of illegal drug production and distribution in the region. The arrested individuals are now in custody, and investigations are underway to uncover the extent of the drug network and identify any additional accomplices involved.

“Our probe revealed that the two brothers had rented the flat nearly eight months ago to manufacture mephedrone. Their earlier batch failed but this batch was almost ready and the process to produce the final product in powder form was underway when the raid was conducted,” an official said.

The drug in question, mephedrone, also known by its street names “meow meow,” “drone,” “M-CAT,” and “white magic,” is a synthetic stimulant belonging to the amphetamine and cathinone classes. Despite its harmless and cute-sounding nicknames, mephedrone has been associated with severe and sometimes gruesome effects. In one notable case from 2014, a 19-year-old British man, under the influence of mephedrone, attacked his mother and inflicted severe self-harm, highlighting the dangerous potential of the drug.

Mephedrone first gained notoriety in the late 2000s when it began circulating online, marketed as bath salts, plant food, or research chemicals to bypass existing drug laws. It quickly became popular due to its availability and low cost, with effects similar to MDMA and cocaine, such as euphoria and teeth grinding. However, its dangers became apparent, leading to its classification as a Schedule 1 drug in the United States by 2011, following several high-profile cases of misuse and distribution.

On July 18, the ATS raided a mephedrone production facility in Surat’s Palsana area, confiscating drugs and raw materials valued at Rs 51.4 crore. Additionally, three individuals were arrested at the scene.