Pune Police bust MD drug racket, arrest 8; ₹1.16 crore in assets seized
Synopsis
Pune's Wagholi Police didn't just bust a drug supply chain — they foiled a plan to manufacture Mephedrone on an industrial scale. With kingpin Sumit Ghule tracked down to Ahmedabad and ₹1.16 crore in assets seized, the operation exposes how MD networks are expanding beyond city limits into Pune's rural belt.
Key Takeaways
Wagholi Police, Pune arrested eight accused in a major MD (Mephedrone) drug network bust on 10 May 2025 .
The operation began on 16 April with the interception of two accused near Jogeshwari Weighbridge, Kesnand .
Alleged kingpin Sumit Ashok Ghule was traced and arrested from Ahmedabad, Gujarat .
Police seized 225 grams of MD drugs worth approximately ₹45.6 lakh , plus luxury vehicles including a BMW , totalling ₹1.16 crore in assets.
The gang had allegedly been planning to establish an MD drug manufacturing factory in rural areas around Pune.
Investigations into links with other narcotics syndicates are ongoing .
Wagholi Police in Pune have dismantled a major Mephedrone (MD) drug network, arresting eight accused allegedly involved in supplying narcotics across the city and adjoining rural areas, while also foiling a bid to set up an MD manufacturing unit on the district's outskirts, officials said on Sunday, 10 May. The operation resulted in the seizure of contraband and assets collectively valued at nearly ₹1.16 crore.
How the Operation Began
The case was triggered on 16 April, when officers intercepted two accused at approximately 8 pm near the Jogeshwari Weighbridge on Theur Road in the Kesnand area. The accused were allegedly found in possession of five grams and five milligrams of MD drugs, valued at around ₹1.1 lakh. A case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act was subsequently registered against five persons.
The Wider Network Uncovered
As the investigation progressed, police uncovered what they described as a larger, organised narcotics supply chain operating across Pune city and adjoining rural regions, including Lonikand, Bhima Koregaon, Shikrapur, Karegaon, Ranjangaon, and Shirur. Investigators identified the alleged kingpin as Sumit Ashok Ghule, who was accused of running the supply chain with the help of associates.
Notably, police also learnt during the probe that the gang had allegedly been planning to establish a factory for manufacturing MD drugs in rural areas around Pune. Officials said the gang was reportedly attempting to enlist the assistance of another accused who was out on bail and had a prior criminal background linked to narcotics manufacturing cases.
Key Arrests and Seizures
Acting on technical surveillance and confidential intelligence inputs, police teams traced and arrested the main accused, Sumit Ghule, from Ahmedabad in Gujarat. Several other associates were subsequently apprehended from different locations, including Akash Ashok Dhawale and Ramniwas Bishnoi. In total, police recovered 225 grams of MD drugs estimated at around ₹45.6 lakh in the illegal market. Additionally, several luxury vehicles allegedly linked to the drug network — including a BMW car and other expensive automobiles — were confiscated, bringing the total value of seized assets to approximately ₹1.16 crore.
Supervision and Next Steps
The entire operation was carried out under the supervision of Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar and other senior officials. Authorities have stated that with the arrest of eight accused, the gang's distribution network has been dismantled. However, investigations into the wider network and possible links with other narcotics syndicates are still underway.
Point of View
But for what was prevented — a transition from drug distribution to domestic manufacturing. The gang's alleged attempt to recruit a bail-out accused with prior narcotics manufacturing experience signals a worrying vertical integration in the local drug trade. Pune's rural belt — Lonikand, Shirur, Ranjangaon — is increasingly appearing in narcotics cases, suggesting that enforcement pressure in urban centres is pushing networks outward rather than dismantling them. The cross-state arrest in Ahmedabad also points to supply chains that have long outgrown local policing boundaries.
NationPress
11 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MD drug busted in the Pune police operation?
MD refers to Mephedrone, a synthetic stimulant classified as a psychotropic substance under India's NDPS Act. It is commonly abused in urban and peri-urban areas and carries severe legal penalties for possession, sale, and manufacture.
Who is the alleged kingpin of the Pune MD drug racket?
The alleged kingpin is Sumit Ashok Ghule, who was traced and arrested from Ahmedabad in Gujarat based on technical surveillance and intelligence inputs. He is accused of running the drug supply chain across Pune city and rural regions.
How much was seized in the Pune drug bust?
Police seized 225 grams of MD drugs worth approximately ₹45.6 lakh in the illegal market, along with luxury vehicles including a BMW and other assets. The total value of seized contraband and property is estimated at nearly ₹1.16 crore.
Which areas were covered by the drug network?
The gang allegedly distributed MD drugs across Pune city and rural areas including Lonikand, Bhima Koregaon, Shikrapur, Karegaon, Ranjangaon, and Shirur.
Was a drug manufacturing factory actually set up?
No factory was established. Police foiled the alleged plan at the planning stage, learning through investigation that the gang was attempting to recruit an accused with prior narcotics manufacturing experience who was currently out on bail.
