Team Goemkarponn
KOLHAPUR: A suspected synthetic drug manufacturing operation has been uncovered at a poultry farm in Hajagoli village of Chandgad taluk in Kolhapur district, with Maharashtra authorities investigating a possible supply connection to Goa, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
The Maharashtra Anti-Narcotics Task Force carried out the raid on Saturday evening after receiving information during a separate drug trafficking investigation. The facility is situated around 20 km from Belagavi and in an area close to the Maharashtra-Karnataka-Goa border.
The operation resulted in the seizure of 208 grams of MDMA, besides chemicals, laboratory apparatus and other materials. The combined value of the seized items has been estimated at approximately Rs 1.1 crore.
Investigators believe the poultry farm may have been used to conceal the alleged production activity. The premises, owned by Pappu Malatwadkar, reportedly continued to function as a poultry facility, which may have helped the suspected operation avoid attention.
Officials are examining whether the farm’s location was also used to facilitate movement of narcotics between neighbouring states. The probe is particularly focused on the suspected distribution of the locally manufactured MDMA to markets outside Maharashtra.
The investigation reportedly began with a drug trafficking case registered at Nayanagar police station in Thane district. Information allegedly provided by an accused in that case, identified as Irfan Salim Khan, helped investigators locate the suspected manufacturing site.
The raid uncovered a range of substances and equipment allegedly associated with chemical processing. These included 70 litres of 40 per cent monomethylamine, filter paper, laboratory containers, test tubes, a digital thermometer, densitometer, indicator paper, speed controllers, an oven tester/griller and a mixing motor with stand.
Authorities have detained seven people for questioning, including a local cashew trader and two individuals from Belagavi. Their alleged links to the manufacturing and distribution network are being examined.
Investigators are now attempting to establish who financed and operated the facility, identify potential buyers and trace the movement of the suspected drug. The alleged Goa connection is also being verified as part of the wider investigation. Further investigation is underway.
