In a startling case that blends cutting-edge technology with organized crime, the Pune police have uncovered and dismantled a sophisticated drug manufacturing and distribution network allegedly operated by two ambitious MBA graduates. The duo is accused of using artificial intelligence to mastermind a hydroponic marijuana cultivation setup right from their rented apartment in the bustling IT hub of Hinjewadi.
The Hi-Tech Hideout in Hinjewadi
The chain of events leading to the bust began on November 28, when a team from the Khadki police station, led by Senior Inspector Vikramsinh Kadam, Inspector Kiran Gaikwad, and Sub-Inspector Digvijay Chougule, arrested Tushar Chetan Verma (21), an engineering student from Delhi residing in Sus. He was caught in possession of hydroponic marijuana. His subsequent interrogation provided the crucial leads that pointed investigators towards the masterminds operating from Pune.
Acting on this information, the police zeroed in on the Hinjewadi apartment. Deputy Commissioner of Police Somay Munde revealed that the authorities arrested Sumit Dedwal (25) and Akshay Meher (25), both originally from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The pair had rented a fully air-conditioned flat just two months prior with the sole purpose of converting it into a clandestine drug factory.
"Despite lacking any medical or pharmaceutical background, the duo used artificial intelligence (AI) to design and operate the production unit within the flat instead of acquiring an industrial space," DCP Munde stated, highlighting the novel modus operandi. The police seized the high-grade strain known as OG-Kush, along with specialized equipment, saplings, and other items with a total estimated value of Rs 45 lakh from the apartment. All the plants were subsequently destroyed.
A City-Wide Network Unravels
The investigation took a wider turn as Dedwal and Meher, during questioning, disclosed details about their supply chain. They named two Mumbai-based contacts who were providing them with raw materials. This led to the arrest of Malay Rajesh Deliwala (28) from Ghatkopar (west) and Swaraj Bhosale (28) from Kurla. Deliwala was apprehended near the Mumbai airport upon his return from Assam.
A follow-up raid on Deliwala's residence in Mumbai yielded a massive haul, uncovering hydroponic marijuana, regular marijuana, hashish, CBD oil, and other contraband. The value of the seizures from this location alone was pegged at a staggering Rs 2.8 crore. Preliminary findings indicate a complex international supply chain. "They sourced raw materials from a Thailand-based supplier, disguised as electronic goods, and paid vendors using cryptocurrency," DCP Munde explained.
The Digital Footprint and Final Tally
The accused had built a formidable digital fortress to shield their operations. They reportedly connected through social media using drug-related pseudonyms and maintained separate, anonymous identities on the dark web for transactions. Payments were seamlessly handled through cryptocurrencies, adding a layer of anonymity. They initially tried to mislead authorities by providing fake addresses, but the police cracked the case by meticulously tracing their e-commerce delivery records back to the hidden manufacturing unit.
An officer involved in the investigation provided the final tally: "In total, we have seized drugs, equipment, and valuables worth Rs 3.45 crore in the case. Additionally, 25 bank accounts and crypto wallets linked to the accused have been frozen for further investigation." The rent agreement for the Hinjewadi flat was registered under Akshay Meher's name, which ultimately helped cement the police's case against the duo.
This case underscores a disturbing new trend in illicit drug manufacturing, where perpetrators are leveraging easily accessible advanced technology like AI, encrypted communication, and cryptocurrency to run sophisticated criminal enterprises from the comfort of residential apartments, posing a significant new challenge for law enforcement agencies.
