Pune Police bust illegal injection racket, 5 arrested for selling prescription drugs
Synopsis
Pune Police cracked open an alleged prescription-drug racket targeting the city's bodybuilding community, seizing 50 vials of a restricted injection and arresting five men — none of whom held a valid drug licence. The bust spotlights a growing underground market for performance-enhancing substances among young fitness enthusiasts, where non-prescription doses can run 10 to 100 times the medically safe level.
Key Takeaways
Pune Police arrested five individuals on 24 July 2025 near Anand Darbar, Katraj-Dattanagar Road .
50 vials of Mephentermine Sulphate Injection IP (MEPHIVAN) were seized — a prescription-only medicine allegedly sold without a valid drug licence.
The accused include Atharva Indrajit Shinde , Avinash Shiva Balungi , Pradeep Jitendra Humbre , Piyush Ganesh Bharam , and Laxman Parmeshwar Mane .
Non-prescription doses of such substances can be 10 to 100 times higher than medically prescribed levels, risking heart attacks, strokes, and liver damage.
Police are now investigating the supply chain, the source of the vials, and the identities of intended buyers.
Pune Police on 24 July 2025 dismantled an alleged illegal drug network operating under the cover of fitness and bodybuilding culture, arresting five individuals and seizing 50 vials of Mephentermine Sulphate Injection IP (MEPHIVAN) — a prescription-only medicine allegedly being sold without any valid drug licence or medical qualification. The bust was carried out at approximately 11:20 pm near Anand Darbar on Katraj-Dattanagar Road in Pune.
Who Was Arrested
The five accused identified by police are Atharva Indrajit Shinde (24), Avinash Shiva Balungi (22), Pradeep Jitendra Humbre (26), Piyush Ganesh Bharam (26), and Laxman Parmeshwar Mane (36). According to investigators, the accused were allegedly preparing to sell the injections to individuals seeking enhanced physical performance, accelerated muscle growth, or intoxication.
None of the accused reportedly held a valid drug licence or possessed the medical or pharmaceutical qualifications required to handle or distribute prescription medicines.
What Is Mephentermine Sulphate and Why It Is Restricted
Mephentermine Sulphate Injection is a prescription medicine that, according to police officials, should only be administered under the direct advice and supervision of a qualified medical practitioner. Its unsupervised use can trigger serious health complications. Investigators allege the drug was being repurposed for non-medical use — exploiting the demand for performance-enhancing substances within gym and bodybuilding circles.
This comes amid a broader pattern of prescription and controlled substances being diverted into informal fitness networks across Indian cities, where demand for rapid physical transformation has surged among young men.
Health Risks of Unsupervised Injection Use
Medical experts note that performance-enhancing injections — including anabolic steroids, human growth hormone, and related substances — carry severe risks when used outside clinical supervision. Non-prescription doses are often 10 to 100 times higher than those prescribed for legitimate medical conditions, dramatically increasing the likelihood of adverse outcomes.
Potential complications include high blood pressure, blood clots, heart attacks, stroke, and liver damage. While some side effects may reverse after discontinuation, others can be permanent or life-threatening. Misuse is also prohibited in competitive sports under anti-doping regulations.
Investigation and What Comes Next
A case has been registered against all five accused under the relevant provisions of law. Authorities are now probing the source of the seized vials, whether a larger supply chain is operating behind the racket, and the identities of the intended buyers. Police officials stated that enforcement action against the illegal sale and distribution of restricted or controlled drugs — particularly those targeting the youth fitness market — would continue.
The investigation is expected to determine whether the five arrested are part of a wider network supplying gyms and bodybuilding communities across Pune.
Point of View
Real-time mechanism to track diversion of prescription injectables from licensed distributors to street-level networks. Until that gap is addressed, busts like this will remain reactive rather than preventive.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Pune Police seize in the illegal injection racket bust?
Pune Police seized 50 vials of Mephentermine Sulphate Injection IP (MEPHIVAN), a prescription-only medicine, during a late-night operation on 24 July 2025 near Anand Darbar on Katraj-Dattanagar Road. The injections were allegedly being sold illegally for bodybuilding and intoxication without a valid drug licence.
Who were the five people arrested by Pune Police?
The five arrested individuals are Atharva Indrajit Shinde (24), Avinash Shiva Balungi (22), Pradeep Jitendra Humbre (26), Piyush Ganesh Bharam (26), and Laxman Parmeshwar Mane (36). None of them reportedly held a valid drug licence or the required medical or pharmaceutical qualifications.
What is Mephentermine Sulphate Injection and why is it restricted?
Mephentermine Sulphate Injection is a prescription medicine that should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified medical practitioner. Its unsupervised use — particularly at the elevated doses common in non-medical settings — can cause serious complications including high blood pressure, heart attacks, stroke, and liver damage.
Why are performance-enhancing injections dangerous?
Non-prescription doses of performance-enhancing substances are often 10 to 100 times higher than medically recommended levels, significantly increasing the risk of severe or life-threatening side effects. Complications can include blood clots, cardiovascular events, and liver damage, and some effects may be irreversible even after stopping use.
What is the current status of the investigation?
A case has been registered against all five accused under the relevant provisions of law. Police are now investigating the source of the seized vials, the possibility of a larger supply chain, and the identities of intended buyers. Authorities have stated that enforcement action against illegal distribution of restricted drugs will continue.
