Raid on Poultry Farm Near Karnataka Border Yields Large Drug Haul

Maharashtra's Anti-Narcotics Task Force conducted a raid on a poultry farm in Hajgoli village near Saroli on Saturday evening, uncovering a large stock of MD drugs and materials allegedly linked to their handling. The operation, which continued late into the night, has brought the border region's suspected role in the narcotics trade into focus.

The action has created concern in the Chandgad taluka, according to the Lokmat Times, particularly because the location is close to the Maharashtra-Karnataka border and could be connected to a wider drug network. The Times of India reported that the raid targeted an alleged MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) manufacturing unit operating from the farm.

Detentions and Seizures

Lokmat Times reported that nine people were detained during the operation, including the poultry farm owner, four local residents, three suspects from Mumbai, and two from Belagavi. The Times of India's report, however, stated that seven people, including a local cashew trader and two persons from Belagavi, have been detained for questioning. The Times of India also noted that the raid was conducted after an investigation into a drug trafficking case registered at Nayanagar police station in Thane district.

According to the Lokmat Times, the poultry owner has been identified as Pappu Vitthal Maltwadkar. Santosh Sadanand Basrikatti and Kiran Ashok Shinde, both residents of Tudye, along with Rohit Shinde, were also reportedly brought to the farm for questioning. The report adds that investigators reached Hajgoli while probing a drug connection linked to Kurla in Mumbai, and that the task force had been conducting surveillance in the area in plain clothes for two days prior.

Scale of the Operation

Details from the Times of India indicate the scale of the operation, with officials seizing 208g of MDMA, along with chemicals, laboratory equipment, and other materials valued at approximately Rs 1.1 crore. The unit was allegedly being run from the poultry farm owned by Maltwadkar, which The Times of India notes is located just 20km from Belagavi and close to the Karnataka border. The location was allegedly chosen for its proximity to three states, potentially facilitating the supply of the drug to Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Goa, The Times of India reported.