Pune Police Bust Mephedrone Trafficking Racket; Seven Arrested, 128.3g MDMA and Three Pistols Seized
Pune, 7th November 2026: The Lonikand police have busted a mephedrone (MD) trafficking racket in Pune district, arresting seven people and seizing 128.3 grams of the banned drug, three country-made pistols and five live cartridges.
The racket came to light after police arrested one of the accused with mephedrone and a firearm during a targeted operation. Subsequent interrogation led investigators to six other suspects allegedly involved in the drug supply network.
The arrested accused have been identified as Pratik alias Sonya Dattatray Hole (35), a resident of Lonikand; Vishal Shivaji Makar (26) and Somnath Sanjay Gore (24), both from Shirur; Vishal alias Dada Ramdas Kolte (33), from Bakori; Rajuram Umedram Chaudhary (34), from Ranjangaon in Shirur taluka; Vaibhav Balu Khedkar (28); and Shivam Prashant Dedge (21), both from Shirur.
Police have intensified action against those involved in the sale, storage and distribution of narcotics across the city. As part of the drive, a team from Lonikand police station was patrolling its jurisdiction when police personnel Shubham Chinke and Sudhir Shivale received a tip-off that a person would arrive near Katkewadi Phata to sell mephedrone.
Acting on the information, a team led by police inspector Sunita Rokade laid a trap and detained Hole. A search revealed that he was carrying 19.4 grams of mephedrone, a pistol and two live cartridges.
During questioning, Hole allegedly disclosed the involvement of Makar and Gore. Police subsequently detained the duo and seized two country-made pistols and three live cartridges from them.
Further investigation revealed the alleged involvement of Kolte, Chaudhary, Khedkar and Dedge. Police seized another 108.4 grams of mephedrone from these four accused.
Police are now investigating the source of the drugs and weapons and are searching for other people linked to the trafficking network.
