Ahmedabad / Surat: The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has busted an international drug export racket and arrested two key accused, including Surat-based businessman Nikunj Gadhiya, in connection with the illegal export of the anesthetic drug etomidate.
According to ATS officials, around 22 kg of etomidate stock was seized during the investigation after suspicious consignments were intercepted at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. The drug had been falsely labelled as “aloe vera powder” to evade customs checks before being shipped abroad through air cargo.
Investigators revealed that Nikunj Gadhiya and his associates allegedly purchased large quantities of the drug and exported it using fake invoices and forged customs documents through companies such as DWN Bioscience, Neutral Pharma and Om Herbs. The consignments were reportedly destined for Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore, where etomidate is treated as a controlled narcotic substance.
During interrogation, ATS officials discovered that the accused were in contact with international drug cartels operating in Southeast Asia. Authorities estimate that more than 125 kg of etomidate had already been exported earlier through similar methods before the racket was exposed.
Officials also noted that etomidate is not currently listed under India’s NDPS Act, a loophole that traffickers allegedly exploited to procure and export the drug while misdeclaring it as cosmetic or herbal ingredients. Further investigation is underway to identify the overseas network and financial trail linked to the operation.
