Breaking Bad in Palghar: Drug lord drew inspiration from web series, say cops

Millions of rupees worth of drugs seized from the Mokhada village farmhouse

Sameer Pinjare, the mastermind behind a drug factory located on a farm in Mokhada, Palghar district, operated in absolute secrecy. The factory, which he single-handedly managed, was hidden from prying eyes, and no one was allowed to enter the factory. Over the past eighteen months, it is suspected that several kilograms of illegal drugs were produced on this remote farm, situated just five kilometres from Mokhada and a mere two kilometres from a college.

To access this farm, accused Pinjare constructed a footpath as there were no vehicle routes available. The farm covers an area of approximately 1000 feet. The Mira-Bhayander-Vasai-Virar Crime Branch-1 Commissionerate recently disclosed that law enforcement is still grappling with the peculiar drug manufacturing practices employed by Sameer Pinjare on this farm. Additionally, police managed to seize a significant quantity of MD drugs during the operation.

During the operation, the VVMC police arrested seven individuals, who were found in possession of weapons, and confiscated MD worth Rs 38 crore from the farm. Law enforcement officers have been puzzled by the modus operandi of Sameer, a 45-year-old suspect who supplied drugs to the criminal network. Investigations revealed that Pinjare had been singlehandedly producing MD at the Mokhada farm in Palghar for the past one and a half years, drawing inspiration from the popular web series, Breaking Bad.

API Prashant Gangurde of Crime Branch-1, who spearheaded the investigation, told mid-day, "The accused drew inspiration from the web series and chose a farmhouse as the location for manufacturing MD drugs. He did this to evade suspicion and maintained the utmost secrecy, allowing no one to enter his farmhouse."

How Sameer made MD

With prior experience working in a chemical company in Hyderabad, he possessed the necessary knowledge for drug production. He would buy the required materials from the market, including some through online channels. Although Pinjare resided in Vasai, he commuted to the farm located in Mokhada village on his motorcycle. The drugs he produced were then supplied to the 38-year-old accused, Gautam Ghosh of Bhayander, who, in turn, distributed them to other members of the criminal network. Crucially, Sameer was the sole possessor of the knowledge concerning the drug factory's existence, and he took extraordinary measures to maintain its secrecy, even transporting the drugs on his motorcycle.

The police raid on the Mokhada farm resulted in the seizure of MD drugs, various chemicals, and equipment required for their production.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Avinash Ambure said, "This marks the first operation resulting in the seizure of such a substantial quantity of drugs and the dismantling of a drug factory in Palghar district. In total, seven individuals have been arrested in connection with this case. All the accused have a history of criminal activity and have faced charges in various police stations, including drug possession, possession of firearms, theft, kidnapping, and obstructing government operations."