Mumbai/Pune, Feb 20 In a significant victory over the drugs mafia, the Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) has busted a narcotics manufacturing facility at Purandare's Dive village in Pune district, officials said in Mumbai.
In the raid on the factory, Shree Alfa Chemicals, the ATS sleuths have seized 10.5 kg of raw Mephedrone valued at Rs 4.20 crore, besides other raw materials and manufacturing equipments valued at around Rs 1.20 crore.
The officials said the quantity was sufficient to produce at least 200 kg of the refined Mephedrone - which alters moods and has stimulant properties - valued around Rs 80 crore.
Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Deven Bharti said that in December 2019, two drug-peddlers - Mahendra P. Patil 49 and Santosh B. Adake, 29 - were nabbed in Mumbai's suburban Vile Parle and led to the recovery of over 14 kg Mephedrone worth Rs 5.70 crore from Mumbai and Pune.
During investigations by ATS officials Daya Nayak and Sagar Kungir, Adake spilled the beans on the manufacturing unit in Dive village.
Raids at the factory on Wednesday led to the large seizure from the factory premises and now further investigations are on to unravel the conspiracy and others involved in the matter, officials added.
( With inputs from IANS )