The Maharashtra Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) has dismantled an illegal mephedrone manufacturing unit operating from a poultry farm in Kolhapur. Authorities seized contraband and chemicals worth ₹1.13 crore.

  • Illegal mephedrone manufacturing unit busted in Chandgad, Kolhapur.
  • Contraband, chemicals, and machinery worth ₹1.13 crore seized.
  • Poultry farm owner Pappu Vitthal Malatwadar and 5 others arrested.
  • Total 26 arrests made in connection with this drug racket so far.

In a major crackdown on the narcotics trade, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of the Maharashtra Police has busted an illicit mephedrone manufacturing factory operating out of a poultry farm in the Chandgad taluka of Kolhapur district. The raid, conducted on Saturday, exposed a sophisticated setup hidden within an agricultural premises.

During the intense operation, sleuths seized ready-to-use contraband, raw chemicals, laboratory apparatus, and high-end processing machinery. The total market value of the seized items is estimated at approximately ₹1,13,51,480. This operation is seen as a significant blow to the organized drug syndicates operating in the state.

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The Investigation Trail

The investigation into this factory was a direct result of a previous breakthrough in Thane district. In April 2026, the Mira-Bhayandar police arrested Firdos Qureshi with mephedrone worth ₹2.64 crore. Subsequent interrogations led the police to a massive manufacturing hub in Mumbai’s Gorai, which had a raw material valuation of nearly ₹100 crore. This chain of intelligence eventually pointed the ANTF toward the poultry farm in Kolhapur.

The use of legitimate agricultural businesses as fronts for drug manufacturing represents a sophisticated evolution in organized crime.

According to M. M. Makandar, Superintendent of Police (SP) for the ANTF, six individuals were arrested during the raid, including the owner of the poultry farm, Pappu Vitthal Malatwadar. The investigation revealed that the accused, Irfan Salim Khan, and his associates had specifically chosen the remote location of Hajgoli village to evade detection.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that drug cartels are increasingly moving their production hubs away from urban centers to rural locations like poultry farms. This tactical shift aims to utilize the noise and activity of agricultural sites to mask the chemical odors and movements associated with drug synthesis, presenting a growing challenge for law enforcement.

Anuj Tare, SP of the ANTF, stated that the crackdown is ongoing and that 26 persons have been arrested in this case to date. The police are currently working to trace the financial trail and identify the high-level distributors who were receiving the supply from this unit.

Did You Know?: Mephedrone is a synthetic stimulant that is highly addictive and strictly regulated under the NDPS Act in India.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What was found at the Kolhapur poultry farm?
Police found mephedrone, raw chemical materials, laboratory equipment, and processing machinery worth ₹1.13 crore.

2. Who is currently under arrest in this case?
So far, 26 people have been arrested, including the poultry farm owner Pappu Vitthal Malatwadar.