NCB takes over investigation into biggest-ever Mephedrone seizure by Pune police

The probe unearthed a sophisticated production line for the synthetic stimulant, being run from a chemical factory under the guise of a pharmaceutical unit at an industrial cluster in Kurkumbh in Daund. In addition to these drugs being sent to major cities across the country, large quantities of drugs were also smuggled to London in ready-to-eat food packets shipped by a courier agency in Delhi.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Shailesh Balkawade said, “After our investigation began in February earlier this year, the NCB had sought to take over the probe citing pan-India and international linkages. As part of the procedure, permission from the state and central governments were obtained. After the requisite sanction from the competent court in Pune, the investigation was handed over to the NCB earlier this week.”

Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate had also entered the probe after possible hawala transactions came to fore. It had sought information from Pune Police to look into possible money laundering and hawala transactions that were probed and which suggest large funds parked abroad.

At the heart of this investigation is its alleged mastermind, Sundip Dhunay, a 42-year-old British national of Indian origin, who is believed to have fled from India to a West Asian country via Nepal some time before the crackdown by Pune police began. A Red Corner Notice through the Interpol (International Criminal Police Organisation) has been issued against him. Police have till now arrested nine suspects in the case including the chemical synthesis expert, the owners of the Vishrantwadi godown and Kurkumbh factory and also those linked to the Delhi courier company.