Pune Police Bust Inter-State Drug Racket from Kharadi; ₹4.27 Crore Worth of Mephedrone Seized
In a major drug bust operation, Pune Police have dismantled an inter-state mephedrone (MD) supply network operating out of Kharadi, arresting six individuals and seizing drugs worth ₹4.27 crore. The operation, led by Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar and DCP Zone 7 Somay Munde, began with a late-night interception near one of Kharadi's busiest IT campuses.
The Interception
On February 3, 2026, at approximately 4:35 AM, a police patrol near the rear gate of EON IT Park Phase 2 in Kharadi intercepted a Maruti Swift with two occupants behaving suspiciously. A search of the vehicle yielded 27 grams of mephedrone — a synthetic stimulant that has become a growing concern in Pune's party and nightlife circuit.
The two men, identified as local distributors, were taken into custody. Under sustained questioning, they revealed their supply chain, leading investigators to the source.
Trail Leads to Rajasthan
Based on information from the arrested distributors, five special police teams were dispatched to Rajasthan. The investigation led to the arrest of Ratanlal Jath (20) from Balotra, Rajasthan, identified as the primary distributor for the Pune network. Searches at multiple locations resulted in the recovery of a total of 1.96 kilograms of mephedrone, valued at ₹4.27 crore at street prices.
Six Arrested, Case Under NDPS Act
In total, six individuals have been arrested in connection with the racket. A case has been registered at Kharadi Police Station under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Police say the network had been active for several months, supplying mephedrone to clients across Pune, particularly in the eastern corridor.
DCP Somay Munde stated that the bust is part of a wider crackdown on synthetic drug networks in Pune. "We have zero tolerance for drug peddling. This network was using the IT park area as a distribution point because of the high footfall and late-night activity in the area," he said.
Concern for Kharadi Residents
The bust has raised concerns among Kharadi residents about drug activity in what is primarily an IT and residential neighbourhood. Several housing societies in the EON IT Park vicinity have called for increased police patrolling during late-night hours.
Police have assured that surveillance in the Kharadi area has been stepped up, with additional beat patrols deployed around IT parks and major residential complexes. A helpline for reporting suspicious activity has also been shared with local society committees.