Overview
- The Gujarat ATS said three Surat businessmen — Nikunj Gadhiya, Chetan Vavadiya and Bhaumik Padmani — are in custody after a case registered on March 7 under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
- Gadhiya told investigators he arranged six parcels totaling 25.5 kg on February 28 for Malaysia, of which 22 kg was etomidate later seized in Mumbai air cargo.
- The shipments were misdeclared as products such as aloe vera powder or Ginopol‑24 powder, with the drug confirmed using a Raman spectrograph detector kit.
- Investigators say the trio operated through firms including DWN Bioscience, Neutral Pharma, Om Herbs, Jani Pharma and Rudra Enterprise to mask exports.
- Officials reported that prior exports may exceed 125 kg to markets such as Malaysia and Thailand, while noting the anaesthetic is controlled in Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore and fetches about USD 4,000–5,000 per kg abroad.