Telangana cops bust drug racket in Maharashtra, 3 held for manufacturing and supply

Telangana’s EAGLE Force has uncovered a suspected illegal drug manufacturing unit in Maharashtra and arrested three people while probing an interstate synthetic drug trafficking network.The breakthrough came during an investigation into the alleged manufacture and supply of synthetic drugs across multiple locations in Telangana and Maharashtra. Investigators suspect that the network involved manufacturing facilities, chemical suppliers and individuals responsible for arranging equipment and logistics.INVESTIGATION BEGAN WITH MEHEDRONE SEIZUREThe investigation follows an operation on August 8, when Bibi Nagar police intercepted an SUV travelling from Kondamadugu towards Nagpur and seized 27.2 kg of mephedrone and 56.98 kg of acetone. Three people were arrested in that case, following which the investigation was taken over by the Telangana EAGLE Force.Subsequent inquiries allegedly linked the network to manufacturing facilities at Vetukuri Labs in Kondamadugu and SM Labs in Moula Ali, Hyderabad. Investigators also traced a suspected clandestine manufacturing unit operating at a poultry farm in Maregaon, Maharashtra. CHEMICALS AND EQUIPMENT FOUND AT SUSPECTED UNITDuring a raid at the suspected facility in Maharashtra, officials reportedly found chemical-processing equipment and raw materials, including toluene, hydrochloric acid and phosphorus oxychloride.Police suspect that the unit was being used to manufacture synthetic drugs, including mephedrone, alprazolam and ephedrine. The latest arrests are of Saddam Hussain, Rakesh Verma and Jairaj Shetty. Investigators are examining the alleged supply of precursor chemicals from Gujarat and the roles of individuals suspected of arranging the equipment, logistics and infrastructure required for manufacturing the drugs.PROBE ON TO TRACE INTERSTATE NETWORKEAGLE Force Director Sandeep Shandilya said investigators were tracing the network's operations across multiple locations.Further investigation is underway to establish the roles of the accused and identify other people allegedly involved in the racket.- Ends