Who is the ‘Chemical King’ Behind the Barmer MD Factory Case?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Barmer police achieved a major breakthrough in drug investigation.
- Rohan Gavans arrested as a key supplier of chemicals.
- 39.25 kg of MD ingredients seized, worth around Rs 100 crore.
- Ongoing investigations to track down more suspects.
- Collaboration with NCB and other agencies in the operation.
Jaipur, Nov 1 (NationPress) The police force of Barmer district in Rajasthan has marked a significant breakthrough in the probe concerning an illicit MD drug factory that was dismantled on July 22 in the Dholakia Kartiya region under the Sedwa police station.
According to Barmer Superintendent of Police Narendra Singh Meena, the authorities have captured the primary supplier of chemical materials, Rohan Prabhakar Gavans (44), who hails from Malad West, Mumbai.
SP Singh stated that Gavans, the proprietor of Rohan Chemicals Private Limited located in Raigad, Maharashtra, has been allegedly providing chemical substances like chloroform, ammonium chloride, acid, and toluene to drug traffickers across various states for several years.
During the raid on July 22, investigators uncovered an illicit MD manufacturing unit in Dholakia Kartiya.
“The operation led to the seizure of 39.25 kg of MD ingredients, 290.84 kg of liquid chemicals, and 5.33 kg of white powder, enough to create narcotics valued at approximately Rs 100 crore,” he noted.
SP Singh added that two suspects - Mangilal from Dholakia Kartiya and Birju Jayendra Shukla from Mumbai - were arrested on-site.
“Further investigation unveiled that Gavans had supplied the chemicals utilized in the factory,” he mentioned.
To apprehend him, a specialized team led by Chohatan Police Station Officer Rajuram Vishnoi was dispatched to Mumbai, where Gavans was captured under a production warrant.
“The suspect already faces four cases under the NDPS Act. Intensive questioning is ongoing to uncover the broader interstate and potentially international drug network,” he stated.
SP Singh highlighted that the NCB (Gujarat) and Maharashtra Police also conducted a raid on Gavans’ factory in Raigad district, confiscating a significant quantity of chemicals.
“In Pratapgarh district of Rajasthan, a collaborative operation by police and NCB resulted in the seizure of MD manufacturing equipment and more chemical stock. To date, seven suspects have been detained in the Sedwa MD factory case, while many key suspects remain at large,” he commented.
Those arrested include Rohan Gavans, Mangilal, Birju Shukla, Machhindra Tukaram Bhosale, Sushant Santosh Patil, Ganpat Singh, and Kamlesh alias Kartik.
“Both Ganpat Singh and Kamlesh have a bounty of Rs 25,000 on their heads. The remaining wanted suspects comprise Ramesh alias Anil Bishnoi (Rs 1 lakh reward) and others from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Odisha,” concluded SP Singh.