In a meticulous two-month operation, the Mumbai Police has made significant strides in dismantling a sprawling Mephedrone syndicate, leading to the arrest of 18 individuals in connection with the case. The culmination of these efforts resulted in the seizure of Mephedrone valued at ₹300 crore, making it a notable achievement in the battle against narcotics, an official announced on Friday.
The recent arrests involve the apprehension of two key individuals, shedding light on the intricate network behind the illegal drug trade. Among those arrested is a man believed to have provided the formulation for producing the banned substance and facilitated the establishment of a manufacturing facility in Nashik district, Maharashtra.
The man identified as Harishchandra Pant, traced to his native Dehradun in Uttarakhand, had previously resided in Vasai, Palghar district, where he was apprehended by a team from Saki Naka police on Thursday evening.
Another arrest involved a 30-year-old, Amir Atique Khan, located in Kurla, Mumbai. Khan was allegedly responsible for procuring substantial quantities of Mephedrone for distribution in the city.
Further investigations revealed that Pant had supplied the formula for large-scale Mephedrone production and had assisted Lalit Patil and Bhushan Patil in setting up the illicit factory.
Presented in court on Friday alongside the other accused, Pant has been remanded to police custody until October 30, as confirmed by the official.
The operation, which spanned across two months, led to the discovery and seizure of Mephedrone valued at ₹300 crore. Additionally, the police identified various individuals from different cities and dismantled a drug manufacturing unit at Shindegaon MIDC industrial area in Nashik district on October 5.
The accused had rented the premises, falsely representing the establishment of an insecticide factory to the owner, ultimately utilizing the location for their illegal operations, the official elaborated.
The ongoing investigation has led to the seizure of approximately 163.8 kilograms of Mephedrone valued at ₹325 crore, demonstrating the magnitude of the illegal drug network dismantled by the police.
It has also been revealed by officials that some of the arrested individuals were connected to the Chakan MIDC Pune drugs case.
