Two men identified as Rahul Gawli (32) and Atul Gawli (28) both Class 10 dropouts from Maharashtra’s Solapur were arrested by the Mumbai Crime Branch for their involvement in the illicit production of mephedrone.

Their arrests came after the police received information regarding their activities, leading to the discovery of a mephedrone manufacturing operation.

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Rahul and Atul, who had gained knowledge of chemical processes while employed at a pharmaceutical company, decided to utilise this expertise to produce mephedrone. They had rented a 2,100 square feet facility in Solapur, MIDC, where they had set up operations for the illegal production.

During the raid, which was conducted by a team led by Inspector Daya Nayak, three laboratories within the factory premises were found. These laboratories had the capacity to produce up to 4 kg of mephedrone in a single instance. To avoid arousing suspicion due to the odour, the factory was located in an industrial area.

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“They had chosen to rent out a factory in MIDC so that the smell would not raise the alarm considering it was a factory area. They had taken over these factories over the past seven months. They themselves delivered the contraband to Mumbai.” Inspector Nayak said.

DCP (crime branch) Raj Tilak Roushan said Mumbai Crime Branch (Unit IX) found 8 kg of mephedrone, valued at Rs 16 crore, along with nearly 50 to 60 kg of raw mephedrone materials, estimated to be worth approximately Rs 100 crore.

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Furthermore, authorities stumbled upon various books containing chemical formulas and manufacturing methods for mephedrone within the factory.

Information was received about the duo’s intended delivery of mephedrone in Khar. Subsequently, the two accused were arrested, and their interrogation revealed the location of the Solapur-based factory.

The accused were produced before a local court, which has sent them to police custody until October 19. The factory has been sealed, and an FIR has been registered at Khar police station in this regard.