Bhopal Crime Branch Busts Drug Racket, 2 Held With MD Powder; Arrested Duo Part Of Big Supply Network Involving Clubs, Gyms

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): In a major breakthrough in its ongoing crackdown on the city's drug menace, Bhopal Crime Branch has arrested two drug peddlers and seized 15.14 grams of MD (Mephedrone) powder, a scooter and a mobile phone worth Rs 3 lakh.

The action aimed at dismantling the underground drug network that is increasingly targeting youth in the city, police officials said. Additional DCP (crime) Shailendra Singh Chauhan said acting on a tip-off, the Crime Branch team raided the vegetable market under Govindpura Police Station limits and arrested two men reportedly waiting to deliver MD powder to a customer.

The accused were identified as Saifuddin (28), resident of Bhauipura, Budhwara and Ashu alias Shahrukh (28), resident of Bag Farhat Afza in Aishbag. Upon searching the suspects, the police recovered two packets containing MD powder weighing 15.14 grams.

Saifuddin was absconding in a previous NDPS case and carried a reward of Rs 5k on his arrest. Shahrukh also has past criminal records including cases under Excise Act and Gambling Act registered at Aishbagh Police Station.

Wider drug network uncovered

Police officials reveal that the arrested individuals are part of a larger network supplying MD powder to club parties across the city. The investigation has also exposed disturbing patterns of exploitation, including the drugging of young women at parties for sexual exploitation and coercive involvement of students, working youth and even girls of rural backgrounds in the party drug scene.

Officials say MD is often introduced to youth under the guise of fitness supplements in gyms or through peer pressure at parties. It is allegedly distributed free-of-cost at first to create dependency.

Once addicted, users are manipulated into recruiting others—a model likened to ‘chain marketing.’ Moreover, some doctors prescribed MD drugs as a remedy to depression. Officials said that further interrogations are underway to uncover the full extent of the trafficking network.