07 May,2026 09:01 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah Khan
Mahesh ‘Mark’ Khemlani (in black T-shirt) in police custody. FILE Pic/By Special Arrangement
A major breakthrough has emerged in the NESCO drug overdose death case, where two students lost their lives, as investigators uncovered links to an international drug trafficking network during the interrogation of the prime accused, Mahesh âMark' Khemlani.
According to police sources, questioning of Khemlani revealed that the banned drugs responsible for fatal overdose were sourced from Europe. According to the police, Mark allegedly ordered around 4000 pills from a German-based drug peddler from Belgium. Shipments were routed in two consignments: 3000 pills initially and 1000 later.
Deliveries were made via courier to an Ulhasnagar-based associate, identified as co-accused Ayush Sahitya. "This foreign peddler is a close associate of Mark, whom he first met in Thailand. He has visited India multiple times and has travelled with Mark and his associates across Mumbai, Goa, and other states," said an officer.
An officer from Vanrai police describes the case as "serious and highly complex," involving cross-border supply chains, cryptocurrency transactions, and a growing domestic distribution network. "The probe is ongoing, with authorities aiming to dismantle the entire international drug racket linked to the NESCO tragedy," he said.
The investigation has revealed that Mark, Sahitya, and Vineet Gerelani met in Mumbai hotels and also reportedly travelled to Goa together and may have links with drug suppliers operating in other parts of India and Goa. Officials suspect the network could be wider than initially believed, involving multiple suppliers.
The probe has further exposed a sophisticated financial trail:
>> Payments for drugs were made using a USDT cryptocurrency wallet
>> Funds were routed through international currency channels
>> An unidentified agent allegedly converted foreign currency into Indian rupees and vice versa, indicating a possible hawala-like network
>> Police are now working to identify and trace this financial intermediary
>> Twelve accused have been arrested so far
>> Mark has been remanded in police custody till May 10
>> Gerelani and Sahitya have been brought back from judicial custody and granted five-day police remand
>> The remaining accused are in judicial custody
>> Face-to-face interrogation with co-accused
>> Tracing the remaining drug stock
>> Identifying the currency exchange agent
>> Establishing links with international suppliers and domestic networks
>> Tracking the origin/manufacturing source of the drugs
