Nagpur: A major MD (mephedrone) drug bust in the city early Monday has once again exposed the narco mafia's stranglehold on Nagpur's underworld, where the spoils from the drug trade are pumping crores of rupees into its dark underbelly and transforming small-time criminals into millionaires.
Key Accused Piyush Malwande: From Petty Goon to MD Kingpin
The key accused, Piyush Malwande, 30, arrested on Monday, was a petty goon associated with the Sumeet Chintalwar gang of East Nagpur. He transformed from an addict to a gun runner to an MD kingpin in a short time. He was released from jail last year in a murder case and was made a co-accused for supplying firearms earlier this year by Wadi police.
With his newfound money power, Piyush frequently changed locations, modus operandi, and accomplices, said police. "Piyush's rise shows how small-time goons are suddenly sitting on mounds of cash fuelled by the narco trade and becoming a big challenge to police," said a crime branch official.
MD Trade: A Money Spinner for Criminals
"MD trade has become a money spinner for criminals. It helps them buy expensive cars, luxury houses, weapons, and lead a flashy life with dance bars, girlfriends, and pleasure trips. Now, they can afford good lawyers if caught," said a police official. Earlier, gangsters dabbled in liquor, cattle smuggling, and extortion. "Now many have become peddlers and use their network in Nagpur to sell MD and earn huge profits. Money power helps them buy sophisticated weapons, fast vehicles and safehouses. This has also triggered deadly gang wars," added an official.
The Raid and Seizures
In the latest action, the anti-narcotics team raided areas near Vastu Residency, Narhari Nagar, and Beltarodi between 02:50 am and 5:40 am on Monday. Led by DCP Crime Deepak Aggarwal and senior inspector Gajanan Gulhane, the team seized 65gm MD, four mobile phones, and two mopeds. The total value of the seized items is around Rs 9 lakh.
Others arrested in the raid include Rahul Gorade, 36, Arya Shyam Kumar Gorele, 23, from Rambagh Colony, and Manish Dhurve. A search in front of witnesses led to the recovery of MD. The contraband was routed from Mumbai or the Rajasthan-Madhya Pradesh border.
Links to Top Criminals
"The MD racket has strong links to top criminals in east Nagpur. Piyush's close associate Sumeet is a big player in MD trade. His name cropped up with Ajni police last month. He is on the run and could be hiding in Chandrapur," said a cop.
These arrests show a dangerous new phase in Nagpur's underworld, where synthetic drugs are destroying lives and creating a powerful drug economy that is spinning out of control.
