How an SUV carrying 27kg of mephedrone exposed a clandestine drug factory

The SUV seizure was the breakthrough in a wider investigation. On August 8, Bibi Nagar police stopped a Toyota Fortuner travelling towards Nagpur. They found 27.2 kg of mephedrone and 56.98 kg of acetone inside. Three people were arrested, and the case later moved to Telangana’s EAGLE Force after suspected organised-network links emerged.

Investigators followed the people, chemicals and logistics connected to the seized drugs. Their inquiries led to a poultry farm at Maregaon village in Maharashtra’s Gondia district. On October 17, an EAGLE Force team found chemical-processing apparatus and chemical remnants there. The discovery prompted Maharashtra Police to register a separate case.

The seizure therefore connected a transport route with a suspected production site. Police also apprehended Jairaj Krishna Shetty, accused of supplying propionyl chloride to the group. Investigators are now examining suspected manufacture of mephedrone, alprazolam and ephedrine, while tracing suppliers, money and remaining accused.

Mephedrone is a synthetic psychoactive drug made through chemical processing. In this case, police seized 27.2 kg of it from a Toyota Fortuner travelling towards Nagpur. The seizure became the starting point for uncovering a suspected interstate manufacturing network.

Its manufacture requires chemicals, specialised equipment and concealed production arrangements. The investigation examined a 200-litre reaction and distillation unit, a 20-litre laboratory flask setup, chemical supplies and a suspected poultry-farm facility. Police are also examining suspected production of alprazolam and ephedrine. These details show why the case involved more than possession during transport.

Mephedrone manufacture and distribution are illegal because they involve unauthorised production and trafficking of a controlled synthetic drug under India’s drug-control framework. The article focuses on suspected criminal activity, not a lawful laboratory process. Police are continuing to trace chemical suppliers, financial transactions and people allegedly involved in moving or making the drug.

The suspected network was substantial in people, drugs, chemicals and logistics. Police identified 24 accused in the wider network. Eleven were listed as arrested or in custody, while 13 remained absconding. The initial seizure involved 27.2 kg of mephedrone and 56.98 kg of acetone.

The equipment trail showed organised preparation. A 200-litre reaction and distillation unit was bought in Hyderabad and transported to Nagpur. A 20-litre laboratory flask setup followed in July 2024. At the suspected poultry-farm facility, investigators found chemical-processing apparatus and chemical remnants. Police also linked the case to propionyl chloride, allegedly supplied for illegal production.

The figures show a network extending beyond one drug consignment. Equipment, chemicals, cash and communications crossed State boundaries between Telangana and Maharashtra. Investigators are examining suspected manufacture of mephedrone, alprazolam and ephedrine. They are also tracing the financial transactions, suppliers and logistical arrangements behind the operation.

The clues formed a chain across Telangana and Maharashtra. A man using the name Krishna approached a Bahadurpally laboratory supplier for a 200-litre reaction and distillation unit. Cash payments were made near JNTU in Kukatpally, while the equipment was transported to Nagpur and installed in an agricultural field.

Pabbeti Kishtaiah allegedly coordinated purchases for Fadh Shaikh. Kishtaiah told investigators that Signal was used to communicate with Shaikh, while WhatsApp connected him with the Hyderabad supplier. He said he later deleted the WhatsApp conversations and removed Signal. Investigators also examined links to Vetukuri Labs and SM Labs in Hyderabad.

The trail eventually pointed to Maregaon village in Gondia district. There, EAGLE Force found a suspected production facility at a poultry farm. The combined clues suggested coordinated procurement, payment, communication and movement of equipment. Police are still examining the wider network and the role of each person or site.

The consequences began with the August 8 interception of a Toyota Fortuner. Bibi Nagar police arrested Chetan Madhukar Meshram, Mujammel Hoque and Akash Ashok Gawande after finding mephedrone and acetone. The case was later transferred to EAGLE Force when investigators suspected links to an organised interstate manufacturing network.

EAGLE Force then traced the suspected production operation to a poultry farm at Maregaon village. On October 17, officers found chemical-processing apparatus and chemical remnants. This discovery prompted Maharashtra Police to register a separate case. It also strengthened the suspected connection between the seized drugs and a production site.

That same day, EAGLE Force apprehended Jairaj Krishna Shetty, described as the alleged owner of JSV Globals in Vasai. Police suspected he supplied propionyl chloride to Meshram and associates. Investigators are pursuing the remaining accused, financial transactions, chemical suppliers and logistical arrangements.

The suspected operation used different people for different parts of the supply chain. Equipment suppliers provided reaction, distillation and flask systems. Pabbeti Kishtaiah allegedly coordinated purchases, while Taneti Anand Kumar was examined because of his association with the glassware supplier. Equipment was sent from Hyderabad to Nagpur.

Chemical suppliers provided substances needed for processing. Police apprehended Jairaj Krishna Shetty over the alleged supply of propionyl chloride to Chetan Madhukar Meshram and associates. Transporters moved laboratory equipment and, according to the SUV case, carried mephedrone and acetone towards Nagpur. The suspected manufacturers operated or used the poultry-farm facility.

The article does not establish final convictions or prove every alleged role. It reports an ongoing investigation involving 24 identified accused. Police are examining suspected production of mephedrone, alprazolam and ephedrine. They are also tracing the money, suppliers and logistics that connected the sites across State boundaries.

A precursor chemical is a substance that can be used as an input in making another chemical or drug. In this investigation, police suspected that propionyl chloride was supplied for illegal mephedrone manufacturing. The article also refers to acetone and other chemicals found or moved during the inquiry.

Drug-control systems monitor these materials because production usually requires more than the finished drug. Investigators therefore track suppliers, purchases, transport routes and unusual laboratory equipment. Here, a 200-litre reaction and distillation unit, a 20-litre flask setup, cash payments and movement to Nagpur helped reveal the suspected network. Chemical remnants and apparatus at the poultry farm added further evidence.

Monitoring can help authorities connect otherwise separate events. A supplier in Hyderabad, a chemical company in Maharashtra, a transporter and a hidden facility may appear unrelated until their transactions align. In this case, police are tracing chemical suppliers, finances and logistics while trying to apprehend 13 accused listed as absconding.