Uttamnagar Police in Pune have uncovered a major mephedrone (MD) drug racket operating in the city, exposing an organised illegal network involved in the sale and distribution of narcotics through delivery apps.
The action took place during the investigation of a kidnapping case registered at Uttamnagar Police Station. Based on confidential information received by Senior Police Inspector Raghavendrasinh Kshirsagar, the police team led by Sub-Inspector Akshay Patil laid a trap in the Sinhagad Srushti area and detained accused Sunil Gopal Rathod.
Financial activity of nearly ₹10 lakh
During a search, police recovered 3 grams of mephedrone (MD) and two mobile phones from Rathod. Further investigation of his mobile transactions revealed suspicious financial activity of nearly ₹10 lakh through digital payment platforms. Preliminary findings showed that he had transferred around ₹5.5 lakh to 6-8 individuals and received money from nearly 250-300 people, indicating large-scale drug distribution.
During interrogation, Rathod confessed to procuring mephedrone from suppliers identified as Shubham Santosh Dahibhate, Rajan Gopal Nair, Jatin Jayvant Kadam, and others, and selling it further based on demand. Police records revealed that the accused have prior criminal backgrounds, with serious offences registered across multiple police stations in Pune.
Four accused arrested
Considering the scale of the operation, Uttamnagar Police arrested Shubham Dahibhate and seized an additional 5.19 grams of mephedrone from his residence during a search conducted on April 1. Meanwhile, the Crime Branch, Pune, detained Rajan Nair and Jatin Kadam and handed them over to Uttamnagar Police for further investigation.
So far, a total of eight accused have been identified, out of which four have been arrested. The court has remanded the accused to police custody till April 8.
In total, police have seized 8.19 grams of mephedrone along with mobile phones and vehicles, with the total value of seized property estimated at ₹2.36 lakh.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Sambhaji Kadam said the drug racket was being operated by the arrested accused through the Porter delivery app to transport narcotics. Furthermore, the matter is under investigation, and action will be taken accordingly.
