Underworld Narco Rich, Flush With MD Money A major mephedrone (MD) drug bust in Nagpur has exposed the deep entrenchment of narco mafia networks in the city, where the illicit trade is fueling a criminal underworld that has transformed small-time offenders into wealthy kingpins. The operation, conducted early Monday, targeted a key figure in the drug trade, Piyush Malwande, 30, who was arrested after a coordinated raid by the anti-narcotics team. Malwande, previously a petty goon linked to the Sumeet Chintalwar gang of East Nagpur, rose rapidly from an addict to a gun runner and eventually became a dominant force in the MD trade. His criminal trajectory included a stint in jail, where he was released last year in a murder case, and later became a co-accused in a firearms supply case linked to Wadi police. The raid, led by DCP Crime Deepak Aggarwal and senior inspector Gajanan Gulhane, took place between 02:50 am and 5:40 am in areas near Vastu Residency, Narhari Nagar, and Beltarodi. During the operation, authorities seized 65 grams of MD, four mobile phones, and two mopeds, with the total value of the recovered items estimated at 9 lakh rupees. Other arrests included Rahul Gorade, 36; Arya Shyam Kumar Gorele, 23; and Manish Dhurve. The contraband was reportedly sourced from Mumbai or the Rajasthan-Madhya Pradesh border, highlighting the cross-regional reach of the drug network. Police officials emphasized that the MD trade has become a lucrative enterprise for criminals, enabling them to acquire luxury assets, sophisticated weapons, and safehouses. "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," said a police official.#nagpur #deepak_aggarwal #piyush_malwande #sumet_chintalwar #gajanan_gulhane
