Gujarat ATS Seizes 500 kg of Tramadol Worth ₹50 Crore in Major Crackdown on Drug Trade
In a significant crackdown on the illicit drug trade in Gujarat, the state’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has seized a massive consignment of Tramadol, a powerful opioid painkiller often referred to as the ‘fighter drug. The operation took place in a warehouse located in Dholka, a town near Ahmedabad, where officials uncovered 500 kg of the psychotropic substance. The estimated market value of the seized drugs stands at a staggering ₹50 crore, making it one of the most substantial Tramadol confiscations in India since the drug was classified as a controlled substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in 2018.
The Operation: How ATS Traced the Drug Consignment
The raid in Dholka was the result of intelligence gathered during a separate operation conducted earlier this year. On January 24, ATS officials had unearthed a massive stockpile of another illegal drug, Alprazolam, at Greenlife Industries, a pharmaceutical facility located in Neja village, Khambhat taluka, Anand district. The seizure in Anand, which amounted to 107 kg of Alprazolam worth approximately ₹107 crore, also led to the arrest of six individuals involved in the illicit trade.
During interrogations, one of the arrested suspects, Ranjit Dabhi, provided crucial information about the existence of another large Tramadol consignment stored at a warehouse in Dholka. Acting on this intelligence, a dedicated ATS team conducted a swift and strategic raid at the specified location—warehouse No. 54 at Devam Industries Estate.
Upon entering the premises, ATS personnel discovered a staggering stock of Tramadol concealed in nearly 49,800 boxes. Alongside the drug, authorities also seized approximately 6 km of packaging foil rolls, indicating that the consignment was prepared for distribution. Investigators believe that the warehouse had been used as a storage facility for over eight months, waiting for the right opportunity for the contraband to be transported and sold in the black market.
Tramadol: The ‘Fighter Drug’ and Its Global Misuse
Tramadol is a potent opioid that has garnered notoriety worldwide due to its misuse in conflict zones and its high potential for abuse. Dubbed the ‘fighter drug’, it has been widely reported that militant groups such as ISIS have used Tramadol to sustain prolonged periods of combat by numbing pain and suppressing fatigue. The drug has also found its way into the illicit pharmaceutical market, with widespread abuse reported in countries where regulation is weak.
In India, the government has placed strict controls on the production, distribution, and export of Tramadol under the NDPS Act. Despite these regulations, the drug continues to be trafficked through illicit networks, with Gujarat emerging as a key transit point for smuggling operations.
Investigations Reveal International Drug Trafficking Links
Following the seizure, ATS officials have begun tracing the supply chain to determine the origin of the drugs and their intended destination. Preliminary investigations suggest that the consignment was being prepared for export to West African countries such as Sierra Leone and Niger, where demand for Tramadol remains high. However, officials are still verifying the final destination and whether additional shipments have already been dispatched.
Superintendent of Police (SP) K. Siddharth, who is leading the investigation, emphasized the significance of the bust, stating, “This seizure is a breakthrough in our ongoing efforts to dismantle the illegal drug trade in Gujarat. Given the sheer volume of Tramadol found at the warehouse, it is evident that the accused were operating on a large scale and had international connections.”
Drug Network and Prior ATS Crackdowns
Investigators have established that Ranjit Dabhi had rented the Dholka warehouse specifically to store the contraband. The drugs were manufactured at an undisclosed location before being transported to the facility, where they were intended to be repackaged and sold through illegal channels.
Authorities have also linked this seizure to a prior ATS operation conducted in August 2024, which resulted in the confiscation of 1,410 liters of liquid Tramadol from a pharmaceutical plant in Dahej, Gujarat. This liquid form of the drug serves as a precursor in the production of Tramadol tablets, suggesting a larger network engaged in its illicit manufacturing and distribution.
SP Siddharth further elaborated on the accused’s failed attempts to offload the consignment. He stated, “Dabhi refrained from selling the drugs immediately after our August operation due to increased law enforcement scrutiny. The fear of detection likely forced him to store the consignment at the Dholka warehouse for months, waiting for an opportunity to evade authorities.”
Future Course of Action
With the Tramadol consignment now seized, ATS officials are intensifying their investigation to uncover the full extent of the drug network. The focus remains on identifying the source of the drugs, pinpointing any additional undisclosed storage locations, and tracking down other individuals involved in the supply chain.
Authorities are also working to determine whether Dabhi and his associates had previously managed to distribute any batches of Tramadol before the ATS crackdown. Given the scale of the operation, there are suspicions that this was not an isolated incident, and further arrests may follow as investigators piece together the network’s activities.
A Major Victory in the Fight Against Drug Trafficking
The successful operation by Gujarat ATS serves as a strong deterrent against the illegal drug trade in the region. The seizure of ₹50 crore worth of Tramadol not only disrupts a major trafficking ring but also prevents a significant quantity of the drug from reaching the black market, where it could have fueled addiction and criminal activities.
Law enforcement agencies continue to monitor and crack down on such activities, ensuring that Gujarat remains vigilant against drug trafficking networks attempting to exploit the region for illicit trade.
