Thane NDPS Court Sentences Chemist Bhanudas More to 15 Years in 238 kg Mephedrone Case
The special NDPS court in Thane has convicted 63-year-old chemist Bhanudas More, alias Aditya Patil, and sentenced him to 15 years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 2 lakh following the seizure of over 238 kg of mephedrone in 2017. The court also convicted Wazhul Choudhary, who operated as More's primary buyer and financier.
The case originated from an operation conducted by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). DRI officers received information that More was manufacturing and trafficking mephedrone from a factory situated in the Palghar Taluka Industrial Estate. Officials also received intelligence that a 200 kg consignment of mephedrone in slurry form was scheduled to be transported to More's residence at Rustomajee Global City in Virar West, where it was to be stored and processed into crystal powder for commercial distribution.
Acting on the tip-off, DRI officials raided the factory premises on March 19, 2017. During the search, investigators discovered more than 238 kg of a slurry substance identified as mephedrone, along with liquid raw materials stored in drums. A simultaneous search at a residential location resulted in the seizure of mephedrone and ganja. The probe was linked to a narcotics network uncovered by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad in Andheri involving accused Sajid Electricwala.
While declining to show leniency, Special Judge MS Lone stated that the execution of the offence showed More had become skilled at manufacturing mephedrone and evading legal consequences by leaving no documentary trail. The judge observed that producing massive volumes of psychotropic substances proved More was part of a syndicate impacting the younger generation, stating the crime worked against the national interest. The court noted that the installation of a glass line reactor and other equipment confirmed commercial-scale production.
More's advocate, Tabish Mooman, had argued for leniency on grounds that the Bombay High Court had set aside a previous conviction and that More had not committed offences while out on bail. Special DRI prosecutor Vibhavari Pathak opposed the plea, highlighting that More continued to manufacture substantial drug quantities. The court noted More had an earlier 10-year sentence for manufacturing mephedrone, while Choudhary had previously served a 10-year prison sentence in Moradabad in connection with 2,000 kg of hashish.
