States

Mephedrone racket running under the garb of Pharma Company busted: Nashik

Mumbai police apprehended a local drug peddler, setting off a chain of events that led investigators to an unexpected discovery and busted a mephedrone racket.

The Health Master

October 7, 2023

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Last Updated on October 11, 2023 by The Health Master

Mephedrone racket

In a significant breakthrough, Mumbai police apprehended a local drug peddler two months ago, setting off a chain of events that led investigators to an unexpected discovery and busted a mephedrone racket.

The arrest of a local drug peddler two months ago led the police to a factory in Nashik that was manufacturing mephedrone (MD) under the garb of a pharmaceutical factory. So far, 12 people have been arrested, and over 150 kg of MD worth more than ₹300 crore have been seized.

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Hidden behind the façade of a pharmaceutical factory in Nashik was a sprawling operation churning out mephedrone (MD), a potent synthetic stimulant.

Here’s how the investigation unfolded:

A. The Initial Leads

August 8: The First Clue
- The arrest of a local drug peddler on this fateful day provided the initial lead.
- The peddler led the authorities to Anwar Afsar Sayyad, a 42-year-old supplier in the network.
Dharavi Connection
- Anwar led investigators to his suppliers from Dharavi: Javed Khan, Asif Sheikh, and Iqbal Mohammed Ali.
Climbing the Hierarchy
- From the Dharavi trio, 110 grams of MD were seized, indicating their pivotal roles in the operation.

B. Ascending the Ranks

Targeted Investigation
- The investigative team at Sakinaka police station recognized the importance of pursuing higher-ranking members in the hierarchy.
Months of Diligence
- Over the next two months, investigators traversed between Nashik, Pune, and Mumbai, tracking down the key players.

II. Nashik’s Dark Secret: A Factory Turned Drug Mill

Following an intricate trail of connections, the police reached Nashik and uncovered a shocking revelation: a factory masquerading as Shri Ganeshay Pharmaceuticals was, in fact, a hub for manufacturing and distributing MD across the state.

A. The Factory’s Grim Operation

Zeeshan Sheikh’s Involvement
- Zeeshan Sheikh, 34, was found at the heart of this illicit enterprise, overseeing operations.
Massive Seizures
- A staggering 150 kilograms of MD, valued at over ₹300 crore, were seized from the factory.

B. Mastermind Behind the Curtain: The Patil Brothers

Bhushan and Lalit Patil
- The notorious Patil brothers, Bhushan and Lalit, emerged as the linchpins of the entire operation.
- Lalit was recently traced to a drug racket operating from Pune’s Sassoon Hospital, indicating a network spanning multiple locations.
The Runaway Duo
- Both Bhushan and Lalit are presently evading arrest, deepening the mystery surrounding their roles.

III. The Domino Effect: Collaring Key Figures in the Network

Arif Sheikh’s Arrest
- The trail led investigators to Arif Sheikh, 42, who was apprehended with 110 grams of MD, along with a country-made pistol and live cartridges.
Nasir Umar Sheikh: Chacha’s Endgame
- Nasir Umar Sheikh, known colloquially as “Chacha,” a 58-year-old supplier to south Mumbai’s peddlers, was arrested with a staggering 1,250 grams of MD in his possession.
Rehan and Azhar Ansari’s Nexus
- Kalyan residents Rehan and Azhar Ansari were found to be the source of Nasir’s supply, hoarding an additional 15 kilograms of MD.

IV. Mumbai Police’s Resolve: Zero Tolerance for Drugs

Satyanarayan Chaudhary, the Joint Commissioner of Police responsible for law and order, affirmed the Mumbai Police’s unwavering commitment to eradicating drug-related activities.

He expressed confidence that all the accused would soon be apprehended, sending a stern message to those involved in such illicit operations.

Disclaimer: This article contains information derived from the source mentioned below. Our team utilized an AI language model to rewrite and present the news or article in a unique format.