11 May,2026 06:02 PM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya Iyer
Major narcotics network busted across Mira Road and Malvani (Pic/Special arrangement)
The Mira-Bhayandar Vasai-Virar (MBVV) police's Crime Branch have busted an mephedrone (MD) drug manufacturing racket operating across multiple locations in Mumbai and the neighbouring Thane district, an official said.
The officials seized narcotic substances, chemicals and laboratory equipment collectively worth over Rs 13.65 crore, he said.
Initially, the case first came to light after police raided a flat in the Nayanagar area of Mira Road East and recovered 1 kg 324 grams of MD drug valued at Rs 2.66 crore from the residence of a woman identified as Firdos Arbaaz Qureshi.
During the probe, officials found that the seized contraband allegedly belonged to her husband, Arbaaz Vakil Qureshi.
Based on the recovery, the Nayanagar Police registered a case under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
The case was subsequently transferred to the Crime Branch for a deeper investigation into what officials suspect is a larger drug syndicate. So far, police have arrested 13 accused, including two women and 11 men, in connection with the case.
As the investigation progressed, Crime Branch officials unearthed multiple alleged drug manufacturing and storage units operating in the Malvani and Gorai areas of Mumbai.
Raids conducted at Saman Nagar in Malvani, Azmi Nagar in Malvani and Mauje Manori in Gorai resulted in the seizure of 6 kg 773 grams of MD drugs and nearly 255 litres of chemicals allegedly used in the large-scale production of the synthetic narcotic.
The recovered chemicals included sodium hydroxide pellets, hydrochloric acid, acetone, dichloromethane, methylamine and chloroform.
Police also seized laboratory equipment allegedly used in the manufacturing process, including heating dryers, separation flasks, heating mantles, recovery flasks, four-finger clamps, addition pots and Buchner funnels.
According to officials, the total value of the seized narcotics, chemicals and equipment is estimated at Rs 13,65,45,095.
Police said further investigation is underway to trace the syndicate's supply chain, identify its financial backers and examine possible interstate links to the drug network.
