Constable Pramod Kendre, attached to Naya Nagar police station in Mira Road, has been identified as the alleged mastermind behind a drug manufacturing unit set up on his land in a Latur village. According to police sources, Kendre had been frequently taking medical leave to visit Latur and establish the illegal mephedrone (MD) production facility.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai, raided the unit on April 8 and uncovered a clandestine MD lab. During the operation, 11.36 kg of mephedrone worth approximately R17 crore was seized, along with a fully equipped lab and large quantities of raw materials.