In a significant operation carried out by the Raigad police, a startling discovery was made at a seemingly innocuous factory in Khopoli. Three individuals were arrested, and a substantial cache of Mephedrone (MD Powder), with an estimated street value of ₹106 crore, was seized. The factory, which purported to manufacture electric poles under the name 'India Electric Poles Manufacturing,' was found to be at the center of an illicit drug manufacturing operation.
During a routine inspection of factories in the Khopoli area, Constables Shedge and Patil stumbled upon a stark incongruity between the factory's stated purpose and its actual activities. Despite its official claim of producing agarbattis (incense sticks) and perfumes, factory documents casually referenced "Anchal chemical," which was later confirmed as a mere nominal entity by Police Inspector Shital Raut from the Khopoli police station.
Lack of Valid Documentation
A deeper investigation into the factory's documentation and permits revealed a striking absence of valid documents that authorized the utilization of chemicals in their manufacturing processes. Employing a narco inspection kit, the authorities conclusively identified the substances found within the factory premises as Mephedrone (MD Powder), as affirmed by Raigad Superintendent of Police Somnath Gharge.
The factory raid, which unfolded in Dheku village within the Khopoli Taluka, yielded the confiscation of a substantial 85.2 kg of MD powder, estimated to be worth ₹106.50 crore. Additionally, ancillary raw materials with an approximate value of ₹15.37 lakh and equipment valued at ₹65 lakh were seized, cumulatively amounting to a seized property valued at ₹107.30 crore.
Investigations Underway
Among the individuals taken into custody were Kamal Jeswani (48) from Thane, Matin Shekh (45) from Sambhaji Nagar, who was currently residing in Khopoli, and Anthony Kurukuttikaran (50) from Thane. These suspects were believed to have rented the factory space for approximately one year. Authorities suspect that their activities may have been geared towards bulk drug production, possibly for a wider distribution network, timed with the approaching New Year.
A report in the Hindustan Times quoted Raigad Additional Superintendent of Police Atul Zende who shed light on the ongoing investigation, stating, "The investigations are currently in the preliminary stage, and we are diligently working to ascertain the intended destinations for the drug supply. Notably, Kurukuttikaran has a criminal history, having previously been arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau and convicted under the Narcotic Drugs Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act for a 10-year term. Jeswani has also faced previous charges in a cheating case. We have summoned the factory owner to provide further insights into their agreement."
Legal Ramifications
The accused individuals now face charges under sections 8(c) (related to the production, manufacturing, possession, sale, purchase, transportation, use, consumption, import, and export of narcotic drugs/psychotropic substances), 22(c) (pertaining to the punishment for contravening psychotropic substances), and 29 (involving punishment for abetment and criminal conspiracy) of the NDPS Act. They are scheduled to appear in court this Saturday to answer for their alleged involvement in these illicit activities.
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