The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad has uncovered a major drug racket in which Etomidate powder, a drug banned in several Southeast Asian countries, was being exported from Surat under the label of aloe vera powder. According to investigators, three Surat-based individuals were involved in the operation and had already sent more than 125 kg of the drug abroad through air cargo to countries including Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.
Acting on a tip-off, ATS officials inspected suspicious parcels at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. Packages declared as aloe vera powder were found to contain Etomidate, leading to the arrest of Nikunj Gadhia, a resident of Katargam.During interrogation, two other suspects were identified as Chetan Vavadiya and Bhautik Padmani who allegedly sent the drug abroad through their companies using fake invoices and forged customs clearance documents.
Officials said Gadhia had exported 50 kg of Etomidate to Malaysia through his firm DWN Bioscience, while the other accused had sent another 75 kg to Malaysia and Thailand.Authorities also noted that Etomidate is currently not listed under India’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, allowing traffickers to exploit the legal loophole and export the substance despite it being banned in several foreign countries. Investigations into the international drug network are ongoing.