Mumbai Crime Branch Busts ₹50 Crore Mephadrone Manufacturing Racket in Agripada High-Rise; Three Arrested with Firearm and Ammunition

The raid was conducted on May 26 at Yasmeen Tower, a high-rise residential building. Acting on specific intelligence received by the Kandivli unit of the Anti-Narcotics Cell, officials laid a trap and searched flat number 1004 on the 10th floor. Inside the premises, police discovered a fully functional setup used for the manufacturing of mephedrone, also known as MD.

During the operation, law enforcement officers recovered 8.305 kilograms of liquid mephedrone along with associated materials valued at approximately ₹29.08 crore, and 6.188 kilograms of mephedrone in powder form valued at approximately ₹21.65 crore. The total seizure amounted to 14.493 kilograms of narcotic substances and related materials. Police also recovered equipment and chemicals used in the production process.

Investigators further seized a country-made pistol and 19 live cartridges from the premises, escalating the seriousness of the case under weapons-related provisions. Authorities stated that the manufacturing process involved boiling chemical substances on a gas stove followed by a drying procedure, which generated a strong odour.

To avoid detection, the accused allegedly kept air conditioners running continuously and used incense sticks and fragrance sprays to mask the smell emanating from the production process. During interrogation, the accused stated that they had learned the drug manufacturing technique through video conferencing.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Shoeb Mansuri, aged 33, Sufyan Mansuri, aged 29, and Mamuni Sarkar, aged 23. Police records indicate that Shoeb Mansuri has prior cases registered against him involving robbery, snatching, and assault. Preliminary investigation suggests that the group was planning to acquire a farmhouse to scale up production of the illegal substance.

Officials also noted that Mamuni Sarkar, identified as the girlfriend of Shoeb Mansuri, is a national of Bangladesh. Following the operation, all three accused were booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and the Arms Act and have been remanded to custody until June 3.

The operation marks a significant breakthrough in efforts to curb synthetic drug manufacturing networks operating within residential zones, highlighting the increasing sophistication and concealment methods employed by such illegal operations in urban environments.