Mephedrone factory busted at Kolhapur poultry farm

On Saturday, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of Maharashtra Police dismantled an illicit mephedrone manufacturing facility operating from a poultry farm in Chandgad, Kolhapur district. During the operation, ANTF officers seized contraband and chemicals worth Rs 1.13 crore. Six individuals, including poultry farm owner Pappu Vitthal Malatwadar, were apprehended, according to M M Makandar, Superintendent of Police (SP), ANTF.

Earlier, on April 4, 2026, Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai - Virar police apprehended Firdos Qureshi, who was in possession of 1.324 kg of mephedrone, estimated at Rs 2.64 crore, from a residence in Nayanagar, Mira Road, Thane district. Following the investigation, a first information report (FIR) was filed against the couple under sections of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Subsequently, an illegal mephedrone manufacturing unit was discovered in Mumbai's Gorai, where raw materials and chemicals potentially used for drug production were seized, with an estimated market value of approximately Rs 100 crore. Multiple arrests were made in relation to this drug ring. The case was subsequently transferred to the ANTF for further investigation.

According to a press release from the ANTF, police interrogated Irfan Salim Khan of Mira Road in Thane, who revealed that he and his associates had established the illegal drug manufacturing factory inside Pappu Vitthal Malatwadar's poultry farm in Hajgoli village, Chandgad taluka, Kolhapur district. Consequently, ANTF led officer Nitin Bodhe, the investigating officer, conducted a raid on the poultry farm premises and seized contraband, raw chemicals, laboratory equipment, and processing machinery valued at Rs 1,13,51,480.

As of now, a total of 26 individuals have been arrested in connection with this case. Further investigations are currently underway.