In one of the largest anti-drug operations in the Konkan region, Raigad Police seized illegal ketamine valued at Rs 88.92 crore from an industrial unit located in Mahad MIDC. Four persons have been arrested in connection with this large-scale narcotics manufacturing racket.
The accused are Machhindra Tukaram Bhosale (52) from Jite, Mahad; Sushant Santosh Patil (30) from Mahopre, Mahad; Shubham Sadashiv Sutar (30) from Kolhapur (residing in Nangalwadi, Mahad); and Rohan Prabhakar Gavas from Malad West, Mumbai.
Bhosale, an employee of Gavas who owns Rohan Chemical Pvt Ltd, came under police scrutiny after the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) noticed his expenditures far exceeded his income. This led to the police raid on the factory, conducted jointly by multiple Raigad police units under Superintendent Aanchal Dalal’s leadership, with assistance from the Mumbai Anti-Narcotic Unit.
Police revealed that Gavas and his father have longstanding histories in the narcotics trade, with multiple cases filed against them. Bhosale, who initially only supplied raw materials, began manufacturing ketamine in May after receiving the formula from Gavas. Chemistry graduates Patil and Sutar joined Bhosale to assist in the production.
The case was registered on July 24 at Mahad MIDC Police Station under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023.
This operation was triggered by a tip-off received by Police Constable Iqbal Chandkha Shaikh, which led to the swift and coordinated raid. The ketamine seized carries an estimated black-market value of Rs 88.92 crore.
Konkan Range Special Inspector General of Police Sanjay Darade commended the teams involved for their effective action in dismantling this drug manufacturing ring.
