25 October,2026 08:54 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah Khan
The investigation spans several locations across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana, highlighting the interstate reach of the alleged network. Pic/ Special Arrangement
The Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar Crime Branch has dismantled an illegal chemical manufacturing unit in Telangana that was allegedly producing a precursor used in the manufacture of mephedrone (MD), extending its crackdown on an interstate narcotics network beyond Maharashtra.
The Crime Branch's Unit 4 raided the factory in the Pashamylaram Industrial Development Area (IDA), Patancheru, in Sangareddy district on October 21 and arrested an accused identified as Ramesh Babu Sake.
Police seized 44.699 kg of 2-Bromo-4-Methylpropiophenone, valued at Rs 27.06 lakh, along with other chemicals and laboratory equipment allegedly used to manufacture the substance.
According to the police, the investigation originated from a case registered at Tulinj Police Station after two men were allegedly found in possession of 112 grams of MD, worth Rs 3.36 lakh, in Nalasopara East on June 24, 2026.
The accused, Avinash alias Sonu Loknath Iyer, 22, and Ravikant Omprakash Ram, 23, both residents of Pragati Nagar, were allegedly carrying the drug for sale.
Following the registration of the case, the investigation was transferred to Crime Branch Unit 4. During the probe, investigators allegedly uncovered a wider network involved in MD manufacturing, the procurement of precursor chemicals and laboratory equipment, drug transportation and peddling, as well as financial transactions.
Police said they had earlier arrested 19 accused and dismantled two alleged illegal MD manufacturing facilities - one on agricultural land in Sandhan village in Gujarat's Kutch district and another in Kosada Kala, Meja tehsil, in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj district.
According to the police, these operations led to the seizure of a total of 69.871 kg of MD, cash, 260 litres of chemicals and laboratory equipment allegedly required to manufacture the drug.
As the investigation progressed, police arrested additional suspects allegedly linked to the network. They include Murtuja Mohammadbhai Patrawala alias Monto alias Hasnain Bhopali, 36, from Shahada in Nandurbar; Shubham Vinod More, 23, from Malkapur in Buldhana; Salim alias Salimbhai Ismail alias Ismail Dola, 61, from Ghodapdev, Cotton Green, Mumbai; Sabir Mohammad Devlekar alias King Memon alias Sabir Ali, 42, from Vile Parle, Mumbai; and Mohammad Tehrim Abdul Rais Siddiqui, 37, from Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
Police also arrested another accused in connection with the alleged possession of 2-Bromo-4-Methylpropiophenone, a controlled precursor chemical used in MD manufacture.
Acting on further intelligence, Crime Branch Unit 4 traced the alleged precursor-manufacturing operation to Pashamylaram in Telangana. On October 21, a team raided the premises and arrested Sake, a resident of the Medchal-Malkajgiri area of Hyderabad.
The factory was subsequently dismantled, and the chemical seizure was made with assistance from Patancheru Police under the Cyberabad Police Commissionerate.
With these arrests, the total number of accused arrested in the case has reached 25, police said. The suspects are allegedly linked to different stages of the drug supply chain, from precursor-chemical production and procurement to drug manufacturing, transportation, distribution and financial transactions.
The investigation spans several locations across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana, highlighting the interstate reach of the alleged network.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar Police Commissioner Niket Kaushik, Additional Commissioner of Police Sanjay Shintre and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sandeep Doiphode.
The investigation team was led by Senior Police Inspector Nitin Patil and Unit 4 in-charge Pramod Badakh, along with other Crime Branch personnel.
