Principal Suspect in Sangli Mephedrone Factory Trained in Varanasi, Mumbai Police Reveal
Mumbai, 28th March 2024: The Mumbai police revealed on Wednesday (27th March) that the principal suspect in the mephedrone factory they uncovered in Sangli had received training in mephedrone production in Varanasi.
The accused, Praveen, also known as Nagesh Shinde (34), had encountered an individual—a handler for another fugitive main suspect—while incarcerated, who offered to provide mephedrone manufacturing training in exchange for a share of the profits.
On Monday, the Mumbai crime branch raided a drug facility in Sangli district, confiscating 122 kg of high-quality mephedrone, along with cash, gold ornaments, and a Skoda car, with a total estimated value of Rs 253 crore.
Six individuals were apprehended in connection with the case.
Addressing the media, DCP Datta Nalawade stated that the primary suspect, Shinde, had undergone mephedrone production training, subsequently establishing a clandestine facility in the remote areas of Sangli for manufacturing the substance.
Following the production process, Shinde and his accomplices would transfer the mephedrone to another criminal group responsible for distributing it to various locations, including Mumbai.
Inspector Mahesh Tawde from Crime Branch Unit VII mentioned that Shinde had four previous cases registered against him, although they were unrelated to narcotics.
“Our team had been investigating this case for six months. Sub-Inspectors Swapnil Kale and Ramdas Kadam particularly dedicated themselves to locating the factory over the past three months,” added the officer.
