Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jul 11: The Mumbai Police's Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) has arrested two more suspects in connection with a major MD drug manufacturing and trafficking case, taking the total number of arrests in the investigation to six. During the latest operation, officers also seized 210 kg of a regulated precursor chemical used in the production of mephedrone (MD).
According to police, the action was taken under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, in connection with a case linked to Agripada Police Station.
The two accused, aged 32 and 27, both residents of Mumbai's Pydhuni area, were arrested around 4.30 a.m. on Friday following an intelligence-led operation carried out by the ANC's Kandivali Unit.
Officials said the operation was launched after receiving specific information on July 10 that a consignment of liquid precursor chemical intended for the illegal manufacture of MD was to be delivered in the Wadi Bunder area. Acting on the tip-off, police laid a trap and intercepted the suspects, recovering 210 kg of liquid 2-Bromo-4-Methylpropiophenone, a controlled chemical commonly used in the production of mephedrone.
Investigators said the latest seizure is linked to an earlier operation in which the ANC had recovered 14 kg of MD and liquid MD with an estimated value exceeding Rs 50.74 crore. With the arrest of the two suspects, the total number of people held in the case has risen to six.
Police suspect that the accused are part of a well-organised narcotics network operating in Mumbai with possible links to other states. The investigation is now focused on tracing the supply chain, identifying those financing the operation, and uncovering the network involved in sourcing precursor chemicals and manufacturing illicit drugs.
Further investigation is in progress.
In a separate operation on June 27, the ANC's Kandivali Unit had seized 750 grams of heroin worth about Rs 3.75 crore during a raid in Goregaon. One accused, identified as Subhan Imran Gada, was arrested in that case after police acted on specific intelligence regarding drug trafficking activities in the area.
Authorities are continuing to investigate whether the heroin seizure is connected to a larger interstate or international narcotics network. The accused was produced before a court and remanded to police custody for further questioning.