The Maharashtra Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) has busted an interstate drug manufacturing and distribution network, dismantling three mephedrone factories in Bengaluru and seizing contraband and machinery worth Rs 55.88 crore, officials said on Sunday, reported news agency PTI.
The action, which is part of a state-wide crackdown against narcotics, began with the arrest of a man on the Pune-Mumbai Highway last week.
The Konkan unit of the ANTF seized mephedrone worth Rs 1.48 crore from the accused, Abdul Kader Rashid Sheikh, on the Pune-Mumbai highway at Vashi village in Navi Mumbai on December 21, reported PTI.
A case was registered, and the probe led the team to Prashant Yallapa Patil, a resident of Belgaum, who was involved in drug manufacturing, and they found out that the three factories were operating in Bengaluru, reported PTI.
Acting on this information, ANTF teams earlier this week arrested Suraj Ramesh Yadav and Malkhan Ramlal Bishnoi, both residents of Rajasthan, who were running the illegal operation in the Karnataka capital, the release stated, reported PTI.
The accused led investigators to the manufacturing units in NG Golahalli, Yerappanahalli and Kannur, and the raids resulted in the seizure of 21.4 kg of mephedrone, both in solid and liquid forms, reported PTI.
Machinery and chemicals used for production were confiscated, and all three factories were destroyed.
Preliminary findings suggest that mephedrone produced at these units was supplied to multiple states, and the proceeds were used to purchase real estate in Bengaluru, reported PTI.
Four persons have been arrested in connection with the case so far, while efforts are on to nab two key suspects.
Maharashtra ANTF busts three mephedrone units in Bengaluru; 4 held with drugs worth Rs 55 cr
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) busted three mephedrone manufacturing units in Karnataka capital Bengaluru, leading to the arrest of four persons and seizure of contraband worth Rs 55.88 crore, a police official said on Saturday, reported PTI.
The chain of events began on December 21 when the Konkan unit of ANTF conducted a raid in Vashi in Navi Mumbai and arrested one Abdul Qadir Rashid Shaikh along with 1.488 kilograms of mephedrone worth Rs 1.48 crore, he said, reported PTI.
"He led the probe team to accused Prashant Yallappa Patil, a resident of Belgaum, who is the key person linked to the manufacture of mephedrone at three units in Bengaluru. In an operation monitored by ANTF chief Sharda Raut and superintendent M M Makandar, a team arrested Suraj Ramesh Yadav and Malkhan Ramlal Bishnoi after conducting raids at these units," he said, reported PTI.
"Yadav and Bishnoi, both from Rajasthan, have confessed to preparing synthetic drugs at these units. We seized 4.10 kilograms of mephedrone, 17 kilograms of liquid mephedrone as well as items used in the manufacture of the contraband. The total value of all seized items is Rs 55.88 crore," the official added, reported PTI.
The drugs from these units were allegedly supplied in various states, with the accused investing the proceeds of crime in buying real estate in the Karnataka capital, he informed citing the probe.
"Apart from arrested accused Shaikh, Patil, Yadav and Bishnoi, we are making all out efforts to nab two key persons in this drug network," the official said, reported PTI.
(With inputs from PTI)
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