Tejas Navale

Pune: The investigation into the colossal mephedrone case, valued at Rs 3,674 crore and involving a seizure from a factory in Kurkumbh Industrial Colony in Pune district, has been transferred from the Pune Police to the Anti-Narcotics Department (Narcotics Control Bureau) in Mumbai. A staggering 1,836 kg of mephedrone was confiscated from the Kurkumbh Industrial Estate. Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar stated that after a thorough investigation, the police handed over all pertinent documents to the NCB.

The case saw the arrest of several key figures involved in the sale and smuggling of mephedrone. Among those apprehended were notorious gangster Vaibhav, alias Pintya Mane, his accomplice Ajay Karosiya, and Haider Sheikh. During a raid on Sheikh's resort godown, law enforcement officials discovered mephedrone and raw materials worth crores of rupees. Further investigation revealed that the mephedrone seized from Vishrantwadi and Somwar Peth was manufactured at Earthchem Company in Kurkumbh. Consequently, company owner Bhimaji Sable, chemical engineer Yuvraj Bhujbal, and Ayub Makandar were also arrested.

As the investigation progressed, more individuals were implicated and detained. Those arrested included Sunil Burman, Ashok Mandal, Shoaib Shaikh, Pappu Qureshi, and Ali Shaikh. The investigation identified Sam Brown and Sandeep Dhunia as the masterminds behind the operation. Pune Police conducted extensive raids across Pune, Kurkumbh, Delhi, and Sangli to dismantle the network.

It was uncovered that Sandeep Dhunia had orchestrated the smuggling of mephedrone produced at Earthchem Company to foreign countries, extending his operations to Dubai through Nepal. To date, a total of 1,836 kg of mephedrone has been seized in this case, with an estimated international market value of Rs 3,674 crore, 35 lakh, and 30 thousand rupees.

Despite extensive efforts, Sandeep Dhunia remains at large, his whereabouts unknown. The investigation highlighted that Haider Sheikh of Vishrantwadi supplied mephedrone to Pappu Qureshi for distribution in Pune, Maharashtra, and Delhi. Qureshi maintained contact with Dhunia and Shoaib Shaikh and leased a warehouse in Pune with the assistance of the accused, where the police later seized additional mephedrone.

The complexity and scale of this case have prompted the transfer of the investigation to the Narcotics Control Bureau. The NCB is now tasked with pursuing leads, apprehending the remaining suspects, and dismantling the international smuggling network orchestrated by Dhunia and his associates.