The investigation into the massive Mira-Bhayandar Mephedrone (MD) drugs bust has uncovered an interstate narcotics syndicate allegedly operating across Mumbai, Thane, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu, with Crime Branch officials claiming that secret drug manufacturing laboratories were functioning in multiple states. Investigators alleged that some chemicals used to manufacture MD at clandestine labs in Manori and other locations were imported from China, with payments made through cryptocurrency.
Crime Branch teams have conducted raids in Tamil Nadu and other southern states for the same.
The case began after police recovered 1.324 kilograms of MD drugs from the residence of Firdos Arbaaz Qureshi in Mira Road last month. During the investigation, police arrested 15 accused and seized over 6.773 kilograms of MD drugs, along with chemicals, laboratory equipment, and raw materials allegedly used in synthetic drug manufacturing.
Connecting the supply chain, the crime branch officials later arrested Moiz Khan and Arman Ali Raiyeen from Jogeshwari after raiding a garment shop where chemicals and narcotic substances were allegedly recovered. During interrogation, Moiz allegedly disclosed the name of Sunil Yadav, who later surrendered before the police with his lawyer.
Following the investigation trail, police arrested Mohammed Waseem Shaikh from Mira Road, Irfan Kadiya from Rajkot, and a couple from Agripada — Mohammed Ashraf Ansari and Khalda Ansari — for five kilograms of MD drugs.
Further investigation led police to Malvani, where Akram Khan, Waseem Shaikh alias Waseem Mandap, Aziz Khan, and Dayanand alias Daya Manik Mudanar from Mira Road and Vasai were arrested. Investigators claim Daya, allegedly known as a “doctor” in the narcotics network, possessed expertise in manufacturing MD drugs and played a key role in operating the Manori laboratory despite suffering from paralysis.
Police also arrested Nishant Ramesh Chettiar, alias Hamza, from Mira Road, alleging that he sourced chemicals from India and abroad, including imports from China, with payments allegedly made through cryptocurrency. During interrogation a video on Nishant’s mobile phone showing him and Akram Khan manufacturing drugs was retreived.
According to the crime branch sources, accused Waseem Shaikh alias Waseem Mandap allegedly allowed chemicals to be stored in his wedding warehouse in Malvani for a drug manufacturing laboratory. During verification, police allegedly found that the Manori farmhouse was on encroache Collector’s land. Authorities have written to the concerned department seeking action.
Advocate Mehmood Shaikh, representing accused Arman Ali Kalam Ali Rain, Sunil Yadav, and Akash Satyaram Yadav, told Sunday mid-day, “No drugs were recovered from any of my clients. They have been falsely implicated in the case. As per Supreme Court judgments, the statement of an accused is not admissible as evidence. Since the matter is under investigation, I cannot comment further.”
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