Mercedes Used for Drug Runs in Ahmedabad: Driver Paid ₹10,000 Per Trip in Racket Busted Ahead of New Year

AHMEDABAD, DECEMBER 30 — In a stark revelation of how drug networks operate under a cloak of affluence, Gujarat Police have busted a sophisticated racket in Ahmedabad that used luxury Mercedes cars to deliver high-grade narcotics. The Mercedes drug bust in Ahmedabad unfolded on the Shela-Bopal Road, leading to the seizure of hybrid marijuana worth ₹15.12 lakh and exposing a supply line intended for elite New Year’s Eve rave parties.

The Mercedes drug bust in Ahmedabad highlights a deliberate strategy by suppliers to evade detection. The main accused, Archit Agarwal, allegedly used his personal Mercedes-Benz to transport consignments, banking on the vehicle’s elite profile to avoid the scrutiny typically directed at suspicious movements. His driver, Rahul Bhadoria, was reportedly paid a staggering ₹10,000 for each delivery trip to act as a courier, handing off packages to clients at predetermined spots.

The Seizure: A Prevented Rave Supply

The operation was triggered by specific intelligence received by the State Monitoring Cell (SMC) of the Gujarat Police. Information indicated that a network was preparing to supply narcotics for lavish “rave” or dance parties scheduled at farmhouses in Ahmedabad and surrounding areas on December 31.

Acting on this tip, SMC officers placed key locations under surveillance. The breakthrough came on Monday afternoon, culminating in the interception of a hand-off near the upscale Applewood Villas. Police recovered 432 grams of hybrid marijuana, a potent, high-value variant of the drug. Investigators confirmed the contraband was explicitly destined for the party circuit, aiming to capitalize on the high demand during year-end celebrations.

The Mercedes Method: A Blueprint for Evasion

The Mercedes drug bust in Ahmedabad sheds light on an evolving modus operandi where luxury becomes a tool for crime. The accused, Archit Agarwal, a resident of Applewood Villas, is alleged to have sourced the hybrid marijuana from international channels, including Thailand.

His operational blueprint was designed for minimal risk:

• Primary Transport: Agarwal would personally use his Mercedes to move the bulk consignment, leveraging the car’s commonplace presence in affluent neighborhoods to avoid raising alarms.

• Insulated Hand-Off: He would then leave the packaged drugs with his driver, Rahul Bhadoria, at a secluded spot.

• Courier System: Bhadoria’s role was to wait and deliver the package to the end customer, earning ₹10,000 per successful trip—a fee that reflects the operation’s high stakes and profitability.

The Arrests: Caught in the Act

Police surveillance tracked Agarwal leaving his residence with associate Chinmay Soni and driver Bhadoria. In a move captured by the team, Agarwal dropped off Bhadoria with a parcel before driving away.

As Bhadoria waited, two customers—Ravi Markan and Darshan Parikh—arrived to collect the package. Police teams moved in simultaneously, arresting all three men on the spot. The swift action prevented the drugs from reaching their intended destination.

The International Link & Ongoing Manhunt

While Bhadoria, Markan, and Parikh have been arrested and booked under the stringent Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, the alleged masterminds remain at large. Archit Agarwal and his associate Chinmay Soni are currently absconding.

A senior police official stated, “We are investigating the wider network, including international sourcing, financial trails, and the entire customer and organizer chain linked to the high-end party circuit.” A manhunt is underway to trace Agarwal and dismantle the network completely. The case has drawn parallels to other inter-state narcotics operations, underscoring the challenge of tracking drug flows across borders.

The Bigger Picture: Narcotics and Nightlife in Gujarat

This Mercedes drug bust in Ahmedabad is not an isolated incident but part of a continued crackdown on drug supply to Gujarat’s nightlife and party scenes. The use of luxury assets points to a trend where narcotics operations mimic legitimate high-flying lifestyles to blend in.

The bust serves as a warning ahead of the New Year period, a time when law enforcement agencies traditionally heighten vigilance against substance abuse at parties. It also raises questions about the demand driving such sophisticated supply chains in the state.