Poultry Farm Transformed into Drug Factory: DRI Seizes Rs 55 Crore Mephedrone in Maharashtra, 5 Arrested

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has made a significant breakthrough in the fight against drug trafficking by busting a mobile mephedrone manufacturing unit in Maharashtra’s Satara district. The operation, codenamed ‘Operation Sahyadri Checkmate,’ led to the seizure of drugs worth Rs 55 crore and the arrest of five individuals, according to officials.

Based on specific intelligence, DRI officers launched the operation on Friday, raiding a remote village in Karad tehsil. The teams from the premier anti-smuggling agency uncovered a fully functional mephedrone lab that was disguised as a poultry farm. The unit was frequently relocated to avoid detection, making it a challenging target for law enforcement.

The seizure included 11.848 kg of mephedrone in liquid form, 9.326 kg in semi-liquid form, and 738 grams in crystalline form. Additionally, 71.5 kg of raw material capable of producing another 15 kg of mephedrone was also confiscated. The total value of the haul is estimated at Rs 55 crore.

Mephedrone, a synthetic stimulant often referred to as a party drug, poses serious health risks. The drug can cause severe side effects, including increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and even psychosis.

During the raid, three individuals were arrested on the spot, including the manufacturer or “cook,” the “financer-consigner,” and the poultry farm owner. The first batch of the contraband had been concealed at the farm owner’s residence. In a subsequent operation, DRI teams apprehended two more accused near an old octroi toll naka in a densely forested area while they were en route to collect the final product.

Officials revealed that four of the five arrested individuals had previous cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act or had faced prosecution under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). This is the second drug manufacturing unit dismantled in Satara district in the past two months. Last month, the Mumbai Crime Branch raided Jawali and exposed a clandestine drug manufacturing facility.

The successful operation highlights the ongoing efforts of the DRI and other law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking and protect public health. The use of mobile labs and remote locations underscores the sophistication and adaptability of drug traffickers, making it essential for authorities to remain vigilant and proactive in their efforts to dismantle such operations.