The Narcotics Control Bureau's (NCB) Mumbai zonal unit has busted an inter-state drug syndicate and seized mephedrone worth Rs 4.5 crore from the neighbouring Thane district in Maharashtra on Monday, according to reports.
The syndicate's kingpin and two other persons were reportedly arrested following the drug seizure on Sunday. An official also added that Rs 36 lakh in cash and gold worth Rs 7.8 lakh were also seized.
The NCB had received information that the syndicate was operating from the Thane area and mephedrone (a synthetic stimulant commonly known as MD, white magic and meow meow) procured from other states was being supplied in Mumbai, Thane and adjoining areas, said the official.
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Based on the basic information, intelligence modules were activated. On Sunday, the NCB sleuths laid a trap in the Bhiwandi area of Thane and caught two persons, PS Veer and Rohan K, red-handed while procuring the drug, the official said.
The NCB recovered 2 kg of mephedrone from their possession. During further questioning, they mentioned their supplier named IGN Ansari.
Immediately, a follow-up team apprehended Ansari from his home in Bhiwandi and recovered Rs 36 lakh cash and 147 grams of gold valued at Rs 7.8 lakh from there, the official said.
Ansari told the NCB that the cash and valuables were proceeds of the drugs sale, he said. During the investigation, the NCB learnt Ansari was in the drugs business for the last five to six years. He initially started as a petty street peddler, but later became the main supplier in the area, the official said.
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Further probe was on into the case, he added.
(With PTI inputs)
