PANAJI: A Maharashtra Anti-Narcotics Task Force hMaharashtra Anti-Narcotics Task Force has busted an alleged MDMA manufacturing unit operating from a poultry farm in Hajagoli village of Chandgad taluk in Kolhapur district, with investigators suspecting that the synthetic drug manufactured there was being supplied to Goa, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
The unit, located around 20 km from Belagavi and close to the Goa-Karnataka border, was raided on Saturday evening. Officials seized 208 grams of MDMA, chemicals, laboratory equipment and other materials collectively valued at around Rs 1.1 crore.
The alleged manufacturing facility was being operated from a poultry farm owned by Pappu Malatwadkar. Investigators suspect the location was deliberately selected because of its proximity to Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa, enabling the movement of drugs across the three states.
According to officials, the poultry farm also provided a cover for the alleged illegal activity. The odour associated with poultry farming was reportedly used to discourage outsiders from approaching the premises, while the operators allegedly continued poultry rearing alongside drug production.
The raid followed an investigation into a drug trafficking case registered at Nayanagar police station in Thane district. The Pune-based Anti-Narcotics Task Force reportedly received information from an arrested accused, identified as Irfan Salim Khan, which led investigators to the Hajagoli facility.
Among the materials seized were 70 litres of 40% monomethylamine, filter paper, a digital thermometer, a densitometer, test tubes, glass laboratory jars, indicator paper, speed controllers, an oven tester/griller, and a mixing motor with a stand, apart from other chemicals and equipment.
Seven people, including a local cashew trader and two persons from Belagavi, have been detained for questioning. Further investigation is underway to identify the other persons involved and trace the wider network.
