Bengaluru, Dec 29: Three drug factories were busted in the capital Bengaluru in a joint operation by the Maharashtra Anti-Narcotics Task Force, Bengaluru City Police and the Narcotics Control Bureau, and four people were arrested on charges of illegal manufacture and transportation of mephedrone and drug-related items, officials said on Monday.
In total, 4.2 kg of mephedrone drug worth Rs 1.2 crore and 17 kg of raw materials were seized, the police said.
On December 21, Abdul Khader was arrested in Mumbai by the Maharashtra ANTF on charges of possessing about 1.5 kg of mephedrone.
According to a statement from the Bengaluru Police Commissioner's Office, Prashant Patil was arrested in Belgaum after Khader was questioned. The investigators conducted a joint operation in Bengaluru after the duo provided information about the source of the drug smuggling.
“In collaboration with Maharashtra ANTF, Bengaluru City Police and NCB officers, Suresh Yadav was arrested at Katakanahalli under Yelahanka police station limits and Malkhan Ramalal Bishnoi was arrested at Kannur under Bagalur police station limits,” the police said in a statement.
As a result of the joint operation, 4.2 kg of mephedrone, along with 17 kg of liquid raw materials and other chemicals stored for manufacturing, were seized from a house in Yarappanahalli village under Avalahalli police station limits.
Barrels, mixers and other equipment were also seized, the police said.
Another mixer was seized at N Gollahalli under Kothanur police station limits.
However, they said that no functional laboratory or factory was found at any of the locations raided.
The police said that raw materials stored in a shed in Kannur were also seized.
Mephedrone is a synthetic stimulant, commonly known as "meow meow". It acts like a cross between cocaine and ecstasy.
Meanwhile, drugs worth Rs 55 crore have been seized, the Maharashtra Police said in a press conference.
However, they are seeking an official clarification from them on the quantity and total value of the seized drugs to ensure their purity, the Bengaluru Police said.