Vagdevi InnoScience Pvt Ltd (VISPL) logo.
Credit: VISPL
Hyderabad: The chemical factory Vagdevi InnoScience Pvt Ltd (VISPL) in Navodaya Colony, Cherlapally, where Maharashtra police raided and busted a drug manufacturing racket on Saturday, is a chemistry-focused Contract Research Organization founded in 2015 by Srinivas Vijay Voleti. Maharashtra police arrested Voleti along with his associate Tanaji Pandharinath Patwari.
VISPL was established to provide discovery chemistry, chemical development and informatics services to global pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical, and agro companies, as well as academic and research institutions across the US, Europe, and APAC regions. Though the factory was meant to provide synthetic chemistry support from lead discovery and optimization to preclinical and early clinical development, it was being used to manufacture narcotics.
During the raid at Survey No. 186/1, Plot No. 193, Phase No. 5, Cherlapally, Navodaya Colony, police seized 5 kg 790 grams of MD (Mephedrone), along with 35,500 liters of chemicals, 950 kg of powder, and other drug-manufacturing materials. The operation also netted 27 mobile phones, four vehicles (including one two-wheeler), and four electronic weighing scales.
The investigation by Mira Bhayander-Vasai Virar police revealed that the accused were operating the MD manufacturing facility under the guise of legitimate pharmaceutical research. During the ongoing investigation, the Crime Detection Unit's Cell-4 has arrested a total of 12 people.