Solapur Rural Police Smash Drug Racket, Arrest Masterminds Across State Borders

Solapur: Solapur Rural Police dismantled a sprawling drug racket operating from Mohol taluka in October, unearthing a clandestine manufacturing unit producing the narcotic drug Mephedrone (MD) within the MIDC premises. The accused, Chandramouli and Chincholi, allegedly orchestrated the illicit operation, leading to the seizure of MD drugs and raw materials valued at crores of rupees.

The investigation further unveiled the inter-state nexus behind the drug manufacturing syndicate, leading to the arrest of the main coordinator from Kalburgi, Karnataka, and his accomplice from Hyderabad. A total of 12 individuals have been apprehended thus far in connection with the case.

The prime accused, hailing from various districts and even foreign states, exhibited a penchant for evading authorities by constantly changing residences. To track down the elusive culprits, the combined efforts of the Local Crime Branch, Solapur Rural Police, and Mohol Police Station extended across multiple states, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, and Assam.

A coordinated operation led to the arrests of suspects in Bargarh (Uttar Pradesh), Bidar (Karnataka), and Zaheerabad (Telangana), yielding a staggering seizure of assets totalling Rs. 8 crores, 82 lakhs, 99 thousand, and 204. Seized items included MD drugs, raw materials, vehicles implicated in the criminal activities, and mobile phones.

The primary mastermind of the operation had previously orchestrated similar crimes across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan, evading authorities by constantly shifting residences. However, law enforcement agencies managed to close in on the fugitive after receiving a tip-off regarding his whereabouts at the Lumbini Grand Hotel in Kalburgi, Karnataka. LCB teams swiftly apprehended the accused and his associate from Hyderabad.

A scrutiny of the mastermind’s criminal record revealed a history of ten cases registered under the NDPS Act since 2010 in Maharashtra and various other states, including Mumbai, Nashik, Andhra Pradesh, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad. Upon his arraignment, the accused was remanded in police custody until February 26.