11 September,2019 11:24 AM IST | Mumbai | Anurag Kamble
Anti Terrorist Squad of Maharashtra has seized 129 kilograms of Mephedrone (MD) worth Rs 52.64 crore from different parts of Mumbai. Pic credit/ Anurag Kamble
In a major crackdown on drug racket, Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Maharashtra has seized 129 kilograms of Mephedrone (MD) worth Rs 52.64 crore from different parts of Mumbai. ATS also seized cash worth over Rs 1 crore during the drug busted. ATS has arrested five people who have been sent to ATS custody by the holiday court and sleuths of the agency are unearthing more such networks after these arrests.
According to ATS, an information was received by Vikhroli unit on 9th September about two persons arriving at BEST bus stop of Bhandup pumping station on Eastern Express Highway (Towards Mumbai) with the drug. Following which, ATS laid the trap and subsequently seized 9 kg of MD from them. During their interrogation, cops arrested three more persons and recovered another 120 kg Mephedrone from them. "One kg of this drug costs around Rs 40 lakh in the international market and the seized value of the MD is around Rs 51.60 crore. We have also recovered cash worth Rs 1.04 crore from one of the accused who claims to have received the amount as a payment after selling the drugs," informed an officer from ATS.
Also Read: Drug racket busted; WY tablets worth Rs 400 crore seized
During the preliminary investigation, it was revealed that the accused used advanced technology and high-quality chemicals to produce the drug in large quantities. A search operation of ATS is searching the factory at Navi Mumbai and the surrounding areas which may further provide leads for the investigation. The arrested accused are connected to one of the biggest MD drug-selling networks in Mumbai and the sophistication of their product is also striking," said the DCP Vikram Deshmane.
ALSO READ
Anil Deshmukh's son to square off father's namesake fielded by Ajit Pawar
Foreign currency worth Rs 10.8 crore seized from car in South Mumbai
‘Voluntary donations key to ending severe blood shortage around Diwali’
Tibetan sweater sellers in Mumbai struggle to keep their tradition alive
Mumbai: FIR filed, Antop Hill society members finally cremate Sheru
Also Read: Mumbai: City cops bust 2 'drug rackets', uncover chemist owners' role
The three arrested accused are identified as Abdul Razzak Sheikh (47), Irfan Sheikh (43), Suleman Sheikh (28), residents of Vikhroli and Naresh Mhaskar and Jitendra Parmar, from Panvel respectively. Abdul, Irfan and Suleman have been produced in the holiday court which have been remanded till 16th September, other 2 accused will be produced in the court on Wednesday.
Also Read: Tanzanian apprehended with drugs worth Rs 30 lakh at Mumbai airport
Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates