How Did Karnataka Police Miss This? Maharashtra ANTF Cracks ₹55.88-Crore Drug Network in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: In a major interstate crackdown on narcotics manufacturing, the Maharashtra Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) has busted three illegal mephedrone (MD) drug factories in Bengaluru, seizing narcotics, chemicals, and equipment worth ₹55.88 crore.
The operation has led to the arrest of four accused, while two key suspects remain absconding, triggering sharp political reactions in Karnataka.
The breakthrough followed a December 21 raid in Navi Mumbai, where ANTF’s Konkan unit seized 1.48 kg of MD drugs worth ₹1.48 crore from accused Abdul Qader Rashid Shaikh at the old bus depot in Vashi village. Investigations traced the drug supply chain back to Bengaluru, with Prashant Yallappa Patil of Belagavi emerging as the alleged kingpin of the syndicate.
Based on intelligence inputs, ANTF teams detained Suraj Ramesh Yadav and Malkhan Ramlal Bishnoi, both hailing from Rajasthan. During interrogation, the duo revealed the locations of the clandestine drug manufacturing units operating in Bengaluru.
One factory was functioning under the guise of RJ Event at Spandana Layout, NG Gollahalli, while another was housed inside an RCC building in the Yerappanahalli–Kannur belt. A third unit was also identified and raided during the coordinated operation.
Searches across all three sites led to the seizure of 4.1 kg of solid MD and 17 kg of liquid MD, along with drug-manufacturing machinery and chemical precursors. In total, 21.4 kg of MD was confiscated. All three drug factories were destroyed on the spot to prevent further misuse.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the drugs were being supplied across multiple states, and proceeds from the illegal trade were allegedly invested in immovable properties.
Political Fallout
The bust has sparked a major political controversy in Karnataka. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) questioned how Maharashtra police were able to uncover large-scale drug factories in Bengaluru without the knowledge of Karnataka’s law enforcement agencies.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Ashwath Narayan termed the episode a “serious administrative failure” and demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Home Minister on moral grounds.
With opposition leaders intensifying attacks over alleged negligence in curbing the drug menace, the issue has now escalated into a full-blown political flashpoint in the state.
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