Major drug manufacturing laboratory busted in UP, 1,100 kg of narcotics seized

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has carried out a major operation against the illegal production of synthetic drugs in the country. The DRI has busted a large clandestine drug manufacturing laboratory operating in a remote village in the Jalaun district of Uttar Pradesh. During this operation, approximately 1,100 kg of drugs and precursor chemicals, along with manufacturing equipment, have been seized. Two individuals have been arrested in this case.

According to a PIB Delhi report, based on specific intelligence, a large team of DRI officers, with the assistance of the UP ATS, conducted this joint operation early on the morning of 29 October 2026. During the search operation at the suspected location, a fully functional laboratory for manufacturing synthetic drugs was discovered. During the investigation, approximately 184 kg of semi-finished drugs and 582 kg of precursor chemicals, as well as equipment used in the manufacturing process, were found.

As part of this operation, searches were also conducted at the residential premises of the accused. Approximately 15.4 kg of finished methaqualone, 153 kg of chemicals, and a machine used for production were recovered from the home of one accused. During the investigation at the location of another accused, an additional 168 kg of precursor chemicals were seized. Both these individuals have been arrested under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985.

The recovery of such a large quantity of finished drugs, semi-finished materials, chemicals, and equipment indicates that this was an organized illegal drug manufacturing activity. Through this operation, a major network for drug production has been dismantled, and a large quantity of narcotics has been removed from the illegal supply chain, thereby preventing the production of more drugs. According to the DRI, they are committed to dismantling such networks to combat the trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.