Maharashtra: Why prisons can’t stop drug lords in their tracks

Despite 1,000-plus peddlers and a few kingpins being arrested in the past few years, the supply of synthetic drugs continues unabated. In the concluding report of this five-part series, mid-day sheds light on how incarcerated drug lords pull the strings behind bars, making it difficult for law enforcers to topple their empires.

The Pune police in February busted a mephedrone racket and arrested around 10 people, seizing around 1,800 kg of mephedrone (MD). As part of the crackdown, pharmaceutical plants and godowns were raided in Pune, Sangli and Delhi. The police learnt that the drugs had come from a factory at Kurkumbh MIDC.

During interrogation, it came to light that the network had its genesis at Pune's Yerawada Central Jail where the accused planned the setting up of the operation. The police suspect one of the masterminds in this racket is Sundip Dhuney, who is suspected to be in a foreign country but had been in prison following his arrest by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), a few years ago.

Pune Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar said Dhuney had been arrested in a case related to a consignment and had developed contacts in jail. Kumar added that our officers have been instructed to keep a watch on inmates with previous criminal cases. "We are also monitoring pharmaceutical companies closely to see that no illegal activities are going on. The FDA is also keeping track," he said.

Bad education

In December 2020, Lalit Patil, an alleged MD racketeer in Maharashtra was arrested by the Pimpri Chinchwad police and was lodged in Yerawada Central Jail. It was here where he came in contact with Arvindkumar Prakashchand Lohare, who had worked with several chemical companies and had been arrested in October 2020 for manufacturing MD. Lohare, who has an MSc degree in chemistry, hails from UP but had shifted to Mumbai for work. "It was found during the investigation that Patil learnt how to manufacture drugs from Lohare. Using this knowledge, he set up a drug operation from behind bars and managed the production of MD and supply chain," said an officer.

Lalit Patil; Parvez Khan aka Chinku Pathan, south Mumbai-based drug lord; Arshad Khan, 28, drug peddler-turned-wholesale supplier

He was shifted to Pune's Sassoon hospital where he was admitted in June last year. On September 30, the Pune city police arrested one Subhash Janaki Mandal, 29, near the hospital area with 1.71 kg of MD, worth Rs 2.14 crore. Mandal revealed to the authorities that he was overseeing the supply of drugs for Patil. The police then carried out a search at the hospital and found two high-end mobile phone phones used by Patil to carry out his operation. On October 2, Patil escaped from the hospital but the Sakinaka police nabbed him two weeks later. A Nashik factory being run by Patil's brother Bhushan on his sibling's instructions was later busted by the Mumbai police. Lalit would provide details to Bhushan about deliveries and contacts.

How newcomers are roped in

According to numerous police officers and informers, meticulous lists were prepared to crack down on peddlers operating across the city and ensure entire syndicates were brought to justice. A source said, "As a result of this, many drug lords and peddlers are behind bars. If we look at jails in Mumbai, Thane, Taloja and Pune, more than 40 to 50 per cent of inmates are there because of drugs, especially MD seizure, cases.

Once a peddler or supplier is arrested, he becomes a familiar face. Hence, drug lords prefer to induct new people into the supply chain. It is easy to access such individuals inside jail. Some people arrested for theft or some petty crime are unable to pay their bail amount. This is where the drug lord comes in. He helps to pay their bail or get a surety and once they are released, they work for them."

An informant told mid-day that peddlers or suppliers earn just a few thousand rupees, but those sitting at the top of the food chain turn crorepatis within a year or two. "After one is arrested for selling a commercial quantity of drugs, he develops a network inside jail and expands his business, going from grams to kilograms, or sets up a factory.

Jail is a training ground for drug peddlers, as those arrested in drug-related cases are kept in the same barracks. What else does one do sitting inside jail? Some plan to set up drug factories or get distribution or production jobs as everyone dreams of making easy money," said an informant.

From peddler to supplier

The case of Dombivli resident Arshad Khan, 28, who has been arrested four times since 2021, illustrates the persistence and adaptability of individuals involved in the drug trade. Khan, previously arrested for drug peddling, was apprehended by the anti-narcotic cell of the Navi Mumbai Crime Branch in late February for operating as a wholesale MD supplier. The authorities confiscated approximately 500 grams of MD valued at R50 lakh from Khan.

Khan's trajectory highlights how repeated encounters with the law can sometimes reinforce rather than deter criminal behaviour. He was first arrested by the Mumbra police for distributing MD. He was then arrested by the Navi Mumbai's anti-narcotic cell and then by the Manpada police in Dombivli. "While in jail, he developed contacts and started a wholesale business. After being released on bail, he started supplying large quantities of drugs across Mumbai and its outskirts," said a police officer. Khan had allegedly brought the drugs from Karnataka.

Many incarcerated drug lords are running their empires with the help of relatives or aides while living lavishly within the confines of prison walls. A person arrested by the Mumbai police in a drugs case, who was lodged in the Thane Central Jail, recalled his interactions with south Mumbai-based drug lord Parvez Khan aka Chinku Pathan, a fellow inmate.

"He used to get good food from the canteen and also arrange for drugs for inmates sometimes. I thought him to be a person from a good family, who was managing well. When I was about to be released on bail, he asked me to meet his wife in court. He suggested that I get into the MD business that is being silently operated by his wife with the help of some people," he said.

The profitability of MD production and distribution incentivises individuals to continue their operations despite being incarcerated as the significant financial gains involved outweigh other considerations.

Purpose defeated

"The involvement of family members or close associates in supporting the criminal activities of incarcerated individuals underscores the extent to which these networks exploit personal relationships for their own gain," said a police officer.

He added, "This dynamic can make it challenging for authorities to disrupt such operations, as they often rely on trust and loyalty among members. The lack of effective rehabilitation programmes within prisons may contribute to the perpetuation of criminal behaviour among inmates. Without access to education, job training, and mental health support, individuals may struggle to reintegrate into society upon release and may instead revert to their previous criminal activities.

Combating organised crime within prisons requires collaboration between law enforcement agencies, prison authorities and other relevant stakeholders. Sharing intelligence, coordinating operations, and implementing preventive measures can help disrupt criminal networks and hold those responsible accountable for their actions."

2020
Year Lalit Patil was arrested