INDIA. Mumbai: The Crime Branch (Unit IX) of the Mumbai Police has apprehended two brothers from Khar in North West Mumbai with a significant quantity of Mephedrone (MD) valued at Rs 16 crore.
Acting on the information provided by the accused, the police also conducted a raid on a drugs manufacturing unit in Solapur, Western Maharashtra.
The arrested individuals, identified as Atul Kisan Gawli (32) and Rahul Kisan Gawli (27), have been remanded to police custody until October 19.
They are facing charges under sections 8(K), 22(K), and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985, with FIR No 79/2023 (Crime Branch) and FIR No. 804/2023 (Khar Police Station) registered against them.
During the search of their premises in the Khar Danda area, the police seized 2,547 kg of MD worth Rs 5.09 crore from Atul and 2,542 kg of MD worth Rs 5.08 crore from Rahul.
Acting on the information provided by the accused, a team led by Police Inspector Daya Nayak raided their factory and seized 3 kg of MD worth Rs 6.1 crore.
Additionally, a significant quantity of raw materials, valued at over Rs 100 crore, was confiscated, and the factory was sealed.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Raj Tilak Roshan explained that the accused had rented a 21,000 sqft space in the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation area of Solapur and had established a drug manufacturing factory.
Both had prior experience in a chemical laboratory, where they gained knowledge of chemicals. The factory had been operational for seven to eight months. The possibility of more individuals being involved in this operation is under investigation.
This marks the second significant drug operation by the Mumbai police within two days. The Bandra unit of Mumbai’s Anti Narcotics Cell (ANC) had arrested four individuals in the Juhu area in North West Mumbai on October 14, seizing drugs worth Rs. 1.18 crore. These drugs were of premium quality and were being sold to young individuals.
Meanwhile, the Anti Narcotics Cell of the Mumbai Police has registered 86 offenses, arrested 174 drug traffickers, and seized drugs worth Rs 38 crore so far this year.
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