19 June,2026 08:32 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah Khan
Police personnel with drugs, chemicals, and seized equipment
The Mira-Bhayandar Crime Branch has uncovered another interstate mephedrone (MD) production and supply network, dismantling the fourth illegal manufacturing unit linked to the case. The network allegedly spans Mumbai's Malwani and Manori areas, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and now Uttar Pradesh.
The police arrested two more accused from Uttar Pradesh - Nilesh Pandey, 35, and Taslim Arif Chhuttan alias Razzaq, 32 - on June 16, taking the total arrests in the case to 20. Crime Branch sources said both are natives of Hardoi district and entered the narcotics network through the accused Daya Manik Mudanar of Mira Road, known as a "doctor" in the drug network.
(Seated, from left) Crime Branch ACP Madan Ballal, DCP Sandeep Doiphole, and Crime Branch Unit 4 SI Parmod Badakh. Pics/By Special Arrangement
Police said Taslim operated a property business in Hardoi, while Nilesh was residing and working in Nalasopara. Investigators found that Nilesh supplied chemicals used in manufacturing MD, while Taslim set up a clandestine drug manufacturing unit about a year ago in Sandila tehsil of Hardoi. Police claimed the factory was used to manufacture MD and distribute them to Mumbai and other states. Investigators alleged that each production batch could generate nearly 10 kg of the synthetic narcotic.
>> 1.3 kg of MD was seized from the Hardoi unit
>> Nearly 300 litres of Mono Methylamine (MMA) were recovered
>> Both laboratory equipment and machinery were seized
>> Latest seizure is valued at Rs 2.07 crore
>> Total seizure in the case reaches Rs 22.79 crore
The investigation began on April 4, 2026, after Crime Branch Cell-4 seized 1.324 kg of MD worth nearly R2.07 crore from a residence in Naya Nagar, Mira Road East. A case was subsequently registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The operation was carried out under the guidance of MBVV Police Commissioner Niket Kaushik. PI Pramod Badakh, API Prashant Gangurde, PSI Dattatray Sarak, and the Crime Branch team conducted the raid.
