The investigation, which began in early last month, targeted an active mephedrone distribution and production network operating across Saman Nagari and Azmi Nagar in Malwani, as well as Mauje Manori in Gorai, Mumbai. Acting on sustained intelligence inputs, law enforcement agencies recovered chemicals and drug manufacturing equipment from multiple locations linked to the syndicate.
Senior Police Inspector Pramod Badakh of the Mira-Bhayander, Vasai-Virar Crime Unit stated that the seized raw materials, though valued at approximately ₹4 lakh in their original form, had the potential to be converted into finished narcotics worth nearly ₹100 crore in the illegal market.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sandeep Doiphode emphasized the significance of the extended probe, stating that limiting the investigation to arrests alone would have allowed the raw materials to be processed into finished drugs and distributed through street-level peddlers.
So far, authorities have confiscated 6.773 kilograms of mephedrone, valued at ₹13.61 crore. The total value of all seizures, including raw materials and finished narcotics, has been assessed at ₹13.65 crore.
The recovery includes 255 litres of medicinal and industrial chemicals such as sodium hydroxide pellets, hydrochloric acid, acetone, dichloromethane, melamine, and chloroform. Police also seized specialised laboratory equipment used in illicit drug synthesis, including heating mantles, flasks, recovery flasks, and addition vessels.
A total of 13 individuals, including two women, have been arrested in connection with the case so far. The operation was initiated on April 4 following a raid in the Nayanagar area of Mira Road in Thane district, where 1.32 kilograms of mephedrone worth ₹2.66 crore was recovered from a woman identified as Firdos Arbaz Qureshi.
Subsequent interrogation of Firdos Arbaz Qureshi and her husband, Arbaz Vakil Qureshi, led investigators to uncover a wider narcotics manufacturing and distribution network, resulting in multiple arrests.
All accused have been charged under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act as the investigation continues to trace further links in the interstate drug supply chain.
The crackdown marks one of the most significant recent disruptions of synthetic drug manufacturing operations in the Mumbai region, exposing the scale and sophistication of underground narcotics production networks.
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