Electronic Evidence Seized in Mephedrone Smuggling Case; Accomplices Presented in Court
Nashik, 9th October 2023 – In a significant development in the ongoing mephedrone smuggling case involving Lalit Patil and his associates, electronic devices such as pen drives and mobile phones have been confiscated during searches at the residences of the accused. Patil, the alleged mastermind of the smuggling operation, is currently on the run.
The police have intensified their efforts to gather evidence against the accused, who is believed to have been involved in the sale of mephedrone from Sassoon Hospital in Nashik. Two of Patil’s accomplices, Subhash Mandal (29 years old, resident of Dehu Road, native of Jharkhand) and Rauf Rahim Shaikh (19 years old, resident of Tadiwala Road and an employee of the hospital’s canteen), were arrested for their involvement in the drug trade. The estimated value of the seized mephedrone is Rs 2 crore.
Additionally, Patil’s driver, Datta Doke, who allegedly aided in his escape, has also been apprehended by the authorities.
Two mobile phones were confiscated from Lalit Patil during his admission to Sassoon Hospital. However, Patil has refused to provide the passwords for unlocking these devices. Despite attempts by experts, the passwords remain elusive. Authorities have even contacted Apple Company to seek assistance in unlocking the mobile phones, as disclosed in the remand filed in court.
The accused are now under investigation for their alleged involvement in the smuggling network. Public prosecutor Vaman Koli argued for an extension of police custody, citing the need for a thorough investigation, considering the significant scale of the crime and the possibility of the accused cooperating against each other. However, the court decided to remand both Mandal and Shaikh to judicial custody.
The search for the main accused, Lalit Patil, along with Bhushan Subhash Patil and Abhishek Vilas Balkawade, continues as the investigation unfolds in this high-profile case of mephedrone smuggling.
