INDIA. Mumbai: In continuation of its earlier raid on drug peddlers, the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) (Worli unit) of the Mumbai police seized 701 kilograms of Mephedrone (MD) worth Rs 1,403 crore, from Nalasopara (outskirts of Mumbai) in Palghar district, on Wednesday.
While the 3.10 kg MD worth Rs 4.51 crore was seized on March 29 from Plot No 44, Shivaji Nagar, Govandi in North East Mumbai, the 701.740 kg MD worth Rs 1403.48 crore was seized from Nalasopara on Wednesday.
Thus, the quantum of the drugs seized from the same gang reached up to 701.740 kg MD having a value of Rs 1403.48 crore in the international market.
Under the FIR (25/2022) registered on March 29, five accused (4 men, one woman) have been arrested so far. Of these, two are in judicial custody, and the other three are in police custody,
DCP Anti-Narcotics Cell, Datta Nalawade, told media on Thursday that the first two accused were apprehended on the Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road in North East Mumbai.
A woman involved in the racket was arrested on July 27. Based on the information provided by her, another suspect was detained on August 2. The fifth accused was arrested with a huge haul on Wednesday.
The fifth accused is a Chemistry graduate knowing organic chemistry to prepare Mephedrone. He was getting in touch with his clients through social media. All the accused have been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985.
The drugs operation
3.10 kg MD worth Rs 4.51 crore was seized from the two accused on March 29 from Plot No 44, Shivaji Nagar, Govandi in North East Mumbai. 701.740 kg MD worth Rs 1403.48 crore was seized from the fifth accused on August 03 from Nalasopara. Total seizure: Rs 1407.99 crore.
The huge haul was made from Sitaram Building, Chakradhar Nagar, Nalasopara West, based on the information provided by the accused arrested earlier, Datta Nalawade, DCP Anti-Narcotics Cell, told the media.
The operation was carried out under the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar, Joint Police Commissioner Dr Suhas Warke, and other senior officials by officiating Police Inspector Sandip Kale and staff.
The ANC has been conducting anti-drug operations throughout the state for several months. The Crime Branch team of Navi Mumbai busted the network of another big drugs racket on July 15, worth Rs. 362.5 crores in the international market.
In another development, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) raided a pharmaceutical company located at Anand Nagar, MIDC, in Ambernath East (Thane district) on Thursday.
The raid was conducted based on suspicion that the drug unit was involved in the clandestine manufacture of Mephedrone. The firm is engaged in the manufacture of Pharmaceutical intermediates.
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