Maharashtra ANTF busts mephedrone racket, destroys 3 factories in Bengaluru
Thane (PTI): The Maharashtra Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) has busted an interstate drug manufacturing and distribution network, dismantling three mephedrone factories in Bengaluru and seizing contraband and machinery worth Rs 55.88 crore, officials said on Sunday.
The action, which is part of a state-wide crackdown against narcotics, began with the arrest of a man on the Pune-Mumbai Highway last week.
The Konkan unit of the ANTF seized mephedrone worth Rs 1.48 crore from the accused, Abdul Kader Rashid Sheikh, on the Pune-Mumbai highway at Vashi village in Navi Mumbai on December 21.
A case was registered, and the probe led the team to Prashant Yallapa Patil, a resident of Belgaum, who was involved in drug manufacturing, and they found out that the three factories were operating in Bengaluru.
Acting on this information, ANTF teams earlier this week arrested Suraj Ramesh Yadav and Malkhan Ramlal Bishnoi, both residents of Rajasthan, who were running the illegal operation in the Karnataka capital, the release stated.
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The accused led investigators to the manufacturing units in NG Golahalli, Yerappanahalli and Kannur, and the raids resulted in the seizure of 21.4 kg of mephedrone, both in solid and liquid forms.
Machinery and chemicals used for production were confiscated, and all three factories were destroyed.
Preliminary findings suggest that mephedrone produced at these units was supplied to multiple states, and the proceeds were used to purchase real estate in Bengaluru.
Four persons have been arrested in connection with the case so far, while efforts are on to nab two key suspects.
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7 killed in fire after explosion at EV charging point outside house in Indore
Indore, Mar 18 (PTI): Seven persons were killed when a fire broke out after an explosion at an electric car charging point outside a three-storey house in Madhya Pradesh's Indore city early Wednesday, officials said.
Some cooking gas cylinders inside the house also exploded, which further intensified the fire, they said.
The blaze erupted at the house located in Brajeshwari Annex Colony between 3.30 am and 4.30 am, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Kundan Mandloi told PTI.
Seven persons were killed in the fire, he said.
A child was reported missing following the incident and was being searched, the ACP said.
Police Commissioner Santosh Kumar Singh said a car was being charged outside the three-storey house.
"There was an explosion at the charging point, and the subsequent fire in the car engulfed the house," he said.
The house doors were fitted with electronic locks, making it difficult for the police to break in, the official said.
Cooking gas cylinders inside the house also exploded, which further intensified the fire, the police commissioner said.
"Three persons trapped inside the house during the fire were rescued," he said.
Nearly 10 persons were reported to be inside the house at the time of the fire, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Amarendra Singh said.
Government Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College Dean Dr Arvind Ghanghoria said the bodies of the seven persons killed in the fire were brought to a government hospital.
"Two persons rescued during the fire were also brought to the hospital. After receiving first aid, they expressed their desire to be treated at another hospital and were discharged," he said.
