20 October,2026 01:32 PM IST | Hyderabad | mid-day online correspondent
A case was registered at Bibi Nagar Police Station under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Representational Pic/File
A suspected clandestine drug manufacturing unit has been uncovered at a poultry farm in Maregaon village in Maharashtra's Gondia district as part of an investigation into an alleged inter-state synthetic drug network, Telangana's EAGLE Force said, reported the ANI.
The investigation has identified 24 accused, of whom 11 are listed as arrested or in custody and 13 remain absconding, according to an official statement.
Investigators are examining alleged links between chemical suppliers, laboratory operators, equipment facilitators and drug distribution networks across Maharashtra, Telangana and other states.
The breakthrough came on October 17, when an EAGLE Force team identified a suspected clandestine manufacturing facility at a poultry farm in Maregaon village, Tiroda taluk, Gondia district in Maharashtra, according to the ANI.
Chemical-processing equipment and remnants of chemicals were reportedly found at the premises. The team informed Tiroda Police, following which Maharashtra Police registered a separate case.
Investigators are probing the facility's alleged role in the wider network and examining the movement of chemicals and equipment between different locations, the news agency reported.
The case came to light on August 8, 2026, when Bibi Nagar Police intercepted a white SUV travelling from Kondamadugu towards Nagpur.
Police seized 27.2 kg of mephedrone and 56.98 kg of acetone and apprehended three persons - Chetan Meshram, Mujammel Hoque and Akash Gawande.
A case was registered at Bibi Nagar Police Station under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The accused were remanded to judicial custody, and the case was subsequently transferred to EAGLE Force for further investigation because of its inter-State links, as per the ANI.
On October 17, EAGLE Force apprehended Jairaj Shetty, the alleged owner of a company in Maharashtra's Vasai.
Investigators suspect that he supplied propionyl chloride, a precursor chemical, to Meshram and his associates for use in the alleged illegal manufacturing network.
Officials are examining the procurement, transportation and alleged diversion of precursor chemicals, along with the roles of people suspected of arranging laboratory operations and specialised equipment.
The probe is also looking into the alleged manufacture of mephedrone, alprazolam and ephedrine, officials said, the news agency reported.
(with ANI inputs)
