Nexus with interstate mafia under probe in 5cr drug haul

Jaipur: Pratapgarh police launched an intensive search for two brothers who allegedly ran a multi-crore drug operation under the cover of a poultry farm in the remote village of Nongawa.
This comes a day after the arrest of Fardeen Khan Pathan (25), one of the three accused siblings, and the seizure of drugs worth Rs 5 crore, along with a large cache of illegal firearms and live ammunition.
Police officials said that the trio might have a nexus with drug mafia in Mumbai and other states. Their interstate operation is currently under probe.
According to officials, Fardeen's two brothers — Nadeem Khan and Sherdil alias Daddu — managed to escape during the police raid and are currently on the run. All three are accused of manufacturing and trafficking MD (Mephedrone), a synthetic drug, from a poultry farm located along the Nadera Road.
Superintendent of police Vineet Kumar Bansal said that multiple police teams have been dispatched to potential hideouts across Pratapgarh and neighbouring districts. "We are closely monitoring movements along the district borders and have alerted nearby police stations. Preliminary investigation suggests the involvement of a wider network, and further arrests are likely," Bansal said.
Police suspect that the drug operation was running for several months and could have links to interstate drug trafficking routes. The confiscated items from the raid — including 1.65kg of MD, over 4kg of raw materials used in its manufacture, firearms, and more than 150 rounds of live ammunition — point to a well-organised and dangerous operation.
The fugitive brothers, Nadeem and Sherdil, have prior records of involvement in illicit activities, sources revealed. Investigators are also probing whether any local individuals or officials aided the trio in running their operation undetected. Meanwhile, forensic teams are examining the recovered substances and weapons, and cyber teams of pollice are tracking the mobile and digital footprints of the suspects.