BELAGAVI: Maharashtra’s Anti-Narcotics Task Force has busted an alleged MDMA manufacturing unit operating from a poultry farm at Hajagoli village in Chandgad taluk of Kolhapur district, close to the Karnataka border and about 20km from Belagavi city. During a raid, the task force seized 208 grams of MDMA, chemicals, laboratory equipment and other materials collectively valued at around Rs 1.13 crore.
The unit was allegedly being operated from a poultry farm owned by one Pappu Malatwadkar. Hajagoli is situated near Rakkaskop on the Karnataka side and is strategically located close to the borders of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa.
According to officials, the raid followed an investigation into a drug trafficking case registered at Nayanagar police station in Thane district. The Pune-based Anti-Narcotics Task Force reportedly received information from an accused in custody, identified as Irfan Salim Khan, which led investigators to the poultry farm.
The MDMA manufactured at the facility was allegedly being supplied to Mumbai, Bengaluru and Goa.
Investigators believe the odour associated with poultry farming helped keep outsiders away from the premises, allowing the alleged operators to manufacture drugs alongside poultry rearing.
Among the materials seized were 70 litres of 40% monomethylamine, filter paper, a digital thermometer, density meter, test tubes, glass laboratory jars, indicator paper, speed controllers, oven-toaster-griller and mixing motor with a stand and some chemicals.
Seven persons, including a local cashew trader and two individuals from Belagavi, have been detained for questioning.