Prayagraj: The crime branch of Maharashtra Police on Wednesday busted an illegal methamphetamine (MD) manufacturing unit operating in the Manda area of Prayagraj and seized around 70 kg of illegal recreational drug along with chemicals and laboratory equipment collectively valued at approximately Rs 139 crore.Police also arrested two persons along with monomethylamine, acetone, hydrochloric acid and chloroform, all of which were used for the large-scale manufacture of the synthetic drug.A senior police officer told TOI that the investigation began on June 24, when Maharashtra Police arrested two men, identified as Avinash alias Sonu Loknath Iyer (22) and Ravikant Omprakash Ram (23), near Nalasopara (East). During the operation, police recovered 112 grams of MD worth Rs 3.36 lakh from their possession.“Following the seizure, a case was registered at Tulinj police station under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act,” the officer said.During the investigation, police uncovered the involvement of a 21-member network operating across Maharashtra, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. The arrested duo allegedly disclosed details about an illegal MD manufacturing facility in Prayagraj.Further investigation and technical surveillance led police to Kosada Kala village in Manda (Meja tehsil), where the drug manufacturing unit was found. Police arrested Rajnish Mishra and Shivdhan Mishra in connection with the case.During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed that they had rented agricultural land and established the manufacturing unit inside a tin shed.Police said so far 21 accused, including drug manufacturers, suppliers of chemicals and laboratory equipment, smugglers, distributors, peddlers and persons involved in financial transactions linked to the racket, have been arrested from Maharashtra, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.
