the Crime Branch of Bhopal Police made major strides in dismantling a high-profile drug trafficking network, arresting the key accused — Yasin Ahmed alias Machhli and his uncle Shahwar Ahmed — for their alleged role in sourcing and distributing the synthetic party drug MD (methamphetamine) across Bhopal’s nightlife circuit.
According to Additional DCP Shailendra Singh Chouhan, the accused confessed to sourcing MD drugs from Rajasthan and distributing them in lounges and pubs in Bhopal. They used “trusted clients” and women couriers, who were allegedly compensated with free drugs to ensure loyalty and silence.
During the investigation, Yasin’s phone revealed a video of a popular Mumbai-based social media influencer firing a pistol at Yasin’s farmhouse in Hathai Kheda, raising further concerns about the network’s outreach and criminal tactics. The influencer had been lured under the pretense of a party.
Shocking details emerged about the gang’s method of disguising MD as weight-loss supplements to target young gym-goers and party attendees. Investigators claim they blackmailed victims using explicit videos, many of which were recovered from Yasin’s phone.
The arrests followed a tip-off from two minors — Saifuddin and Shahrukh — caught on July 18, who disclosed the duo’s operations. When police attempted to nab Yasin, he tried to flee and rammed his SUV into two vehicles. His vehicle bore fake assembly and press stickers, commonly used to avoid police scrutiny.
Several others, including Mohit Baghel and Gaurav Chauhan — close associates of the accused — have been detained for questioning after officials recovered hotel footage of them partying with alcohol. Despite 10-hour-long interrogations, the two remained evasive.
Shahwar was remanded to two more days of police custody, while the Crime Branch prepares to escort the main accused to Rajasthan to trace the drug supply chain, which may also involve links in Punjab.
The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are likely in what authorities describe as one of the city’s most sophisticated synthetic drug rackets involving cross-state trafficking, sexual exploitation, and social media manipulation.
