Pune: Sandeep Dhuniya, Alleged Mastermind of Rs 3600 Crore Drug Scam, Traced to Vietnam
Pune, 24th March 2025: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is conducting a parallel investigation into the smuggling of mephedrone worth Rs 400 crore from Kurkumbh in the Pune District to London. Investigative agencies have learned that the main mastermind of this case, Sandeep Dhuniya, is currently residing in Vietnam.
The Pune Police Crime Branch had earlier seized 1,836 kg of mephedrone valued at Rs 3,674 crore in the international market during a raid on a factory in the Kurkumbh area. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is now leading the investigation into this massive drug seizure case.
According to reports, Sandeep Yadav, an accused arrested in Delhi, had sent 218 kg of mephedrone worth Rs 400 crore to London via courier. The court has rejected Yadav’s bail application.
The investigation revealed that the seized mephedrone was manufactured at Earthchem Laboratories in the Kurkumbh MIDC area. The drug was then distributed to various cities across India and smuggled to London. The Pune Police Crime Branch initially arrested Vaibhav “Pintya” Mane and Haider Shaikh from the Somwar Peth area, which led to the discovery of the manufacturing unit.
Following these arrests, the police uncovered a sophisticated drug production and distribution network. The factory in Kurkumbh, disguised as a pharmaceutical unit, was identified as a key hub for manufacturing and smuggling the drug.
The NCB has filed a chargesheet against several accused, including Vaibhav Mane, Haider Sheikh, Ajay Karosia, Bhimaji Sable, Yuvraj Bhujbal, Ayub Makandar, Sandeep Kumar Basoya, Divesh Bhutani, Sandeep Yadav, Devendra Yadav, Sunilchandra Bamran, Mohammad Qureshi, Shoaib Shaikh, Cynthia Ugbab, Ankita Das, and Nishant Modi.
