Mumbai: In a significant operation, the Mumbai crime branch dismantled a clandestine drug manufacturing facility nestled in Sangli district. The raid yielded a substantial haul, including 122 kg of potent mephedrone, alongside a cache of Rs.15 lakh in cash and gold ornaments valued at an estimated Rs.253 crore. Additionally, law enforcement detained six individuals suspected of orchestrating the production and distribution of synthetic stimulants within the city and its peripheries.
The accused, who had been operating the illicit laboratory for a staggering seven-month period, had equipped their setup with sophisticated machinery such as dryers, heaters, and an array of chemicals essential for mephedrone synthesis. These assets were promptly confiscated by the authorities during the raid.
Earlier developments in the case saw the apprehension of four individuals and the seizure of 4 kilograms of mephedrone, which subsequently led investigators to the location of the factory. Acting swiftly on gathered intelligence, the crime branch’s Unit 7, under the leadership of Police Inspector Neeraj Ubale, meticulously traced the operation to Irali village in the Kavathe Mahakal taluka of Sangli district.
A meticulously planned operation unfolded on February 16, as a team comprising over 10 law enforcement personnel descended upon the illicit facility. Subsequent investigations led to the detention of six individuals directly involved in the factory’s operation. During subsequent searches of their premises, authorities uncovered Rs.15 lakh in cash, valuable gold ornaments, and a vehicle.
The primary suspect, a long-term resident of Kavathe Mahakal taluka with a history of more than a decade in Mumbai, stands accused of masterminding the smuggling of mephedrone. With the recent apprehension of six additional suspects, the total tally of arrests in this case has risen to 10.
Notably, the preceding month witnessed a joint operation between the Pune crime branch and Sangli police, resulting in raids at three locations in Kupwad. This operation netted a staggering 140 kg of mephedrone and led to the arrest of eight individuals linked to the illicit drug trade.
