Nagpur: A crime branch raid in Ajni has uncovered a racket involving mephedrone (MD) sale and flesh trade, with crime branch officers suspecting that drug peddlers are now doubling up as sex racketeers and vice versa.A team from social security branch and Anti-Human Trafficking Unit laid a trap on a road in front of Hanuman Nagar public library on Wednesday. Police arrested Manthan Thote (23) of Chandramani Nagar, who allegedly engaged a financially distressed woman for flesh trade. He was also found in possession of around three grams of MD powder meant for sale, said police.The woman was rescued and underwent counselling. Investigators said Thote lured women on the promise of earning quick money, supplied customers, and then offered MD as a “sex booster”. A source said MD powder is also given to women working in the flesh trade to make them “addicted and dependent”. “MD funds the flesh trade and the flesh trade expands the customer base for MD,” said a crime branch official.A team led by senior inspector Darshan Patil and head constable Prakash Mathankar conducted the action under ACP Vaibhav Jadhav and DCP Deepak Aggarwal. Police have seized MD valued at Rs 36,100, cash Rs 1,500, a scooter worth Rs 60,000 and two mobile phones worth Rs 21,000, the total valued at Rs 1.18 lakh.A case was registered at Ajni police station. Thote had received MD from Kunal Yelekar of Durga Nagar. “Yelekar is wanted in the case,” said police.
