The operation was spearheaded by the Special Cell of Delhi Police, with support from local law enforcement in Gujarat. It began with the seizure of 518 kg of cocaine on October 13 from Aavkar Pvt Ltd, a chemical manufacturing firm operating out of the Ankleshwar GIDC industrial area. This initial seizure, valued at approximately ₹5,000 crore, was part of a larger haul tied to multiple shipments.
The firm at the center of the investigation, Aavkar Pvt Ltd, initially appeared to be involved in legitimate chemical production. However, further investigation revealed that it had been covertly manufacturing narcotics for distribution, primarily to markets in Delhi. Police also found that hybrid marijuana, weighing around 40 kg, had been part of the operation.
Leading the organization was consultant Amit Masooria, who is accused of masterminding the drug network. Masooria had allegedly collaborated with three of the firm's directors—Ashwin Ramani, Brijesh Kotia, and Vijay Bhesania—alongside fellow consultant Mayur Desle. All five individuals have since been taken into custody. Masooria, in particular, is suspected of having orchestrated the logistics for drug distribution and reportedly earned a commission of ₹36 lakh for his role. He had convinced the directors of Aavkar to participate in the drug operation, promising them a 3% commission on the sales, thus tying the firm’s leadership directly into the illicit trade.
A breakthrough in the investigation came when law enforcement traced GPS devices from vehicles used to transport the drugs, leading to the discovery of the cocaine-producing unit in Ankleshwar. This high-tech surveillance provided critical evidence, allowing authorities to link the seized drugs in Delhi back to their origin.
The scale of the operation has shocked officials and exposed vulnerabilities in the regulatory oversight of industrial zones such as Ankleshwar GIDC, where legal manufacturing facilities were able to conceal illegal activities on a large scale. Delhi Police have taken the lead in interrogating the suspects, having obtained a three-day transit remand for all five men. Authorities are also probing whether there are international links to the operation, as the sheer volume of the drugs involved suggests a sophisticated and well-established supply chain that spans multiple countries.
Reports suggest that cocaine was being manufactured to order, with specific shipments tailored for distribution. This has led officials to explore potential connections with other drug markets, particularly in Europe and Southeast Asia, where demand for cocaine has surged in recent years. The investigation into the financial operations of Aavkar Pvt Ltd is ongoing, with investigators analyzing the firm’s accounts to trace the flow of money and identify any additional stakeholders who may have been involved.
This bust marks a significant success for Indian law enforcement in their fight against the drug trade. The continued flow of narcotics through India has been a growing concern, particularly in the context of cross-border trafficking routes linked to countries in West Asia and Africa. The magnitude of the Gujarat bust is expected to prompt further action, with authorities likely to ramp up surveillance and monitoring efforts in industrial hubs known for their chemical production.