Seize Rs. 6 crores worth narcotics

In a significant breakthrough, the Navi Mumbai anti-narcotics squad launched a successful crackdown on a drug syndicate operating under the guise of a paint manufacturing unit in Khopoli. The authorities arrested six individuals involved in the illicit production of M.D. (Mephedrone), in a clandestine operation spanning defunct companies and a farmhouse on the Khopoli-Pali road.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Shadab Saeed Syed (42), Sohail Munnawar Ali Lambe (38), Narabul Wafa Chaudhary (55), Saifullah Sheikh alias Saif Batata (28), Mohsin Ansari (36), and Siddha Pal (33) were apprehended in connection with this extensive drug manufacturing operation.

Among the accused, Saifullah Sheikh, a financier with a farmhouse in Umbre village on the Khalapur Khopoli-Pali road, played a key role in the syndicate's operations. Leveraging a defunct company in Khopoli under the pretext of producing paint, the group surreptitiously established manufacturing units for the narcotics.

The police confiscated a staggering 5 kg 396 grams of M.D. worth a whopping Rs. 6 crores during the raid on the illegal facilities. Additionally, they seized 330 liters of chemicals and 25 kg of powder, essential components for producing the drug, valued at Rs. 45 lakhs. 2 four-wheeler vehicles and nine mobile phones belonging to the accused were also confiscated in the operation.

Deputy Commissioner of Police - Crime Branch, Navi Mumbai, Amit Kale, highlighted that the accused were involved in large-scale M.D. production. Investigations are ongoing to ascertain the involvement of more individuals in this criminal network.

It has come to light that one of the arrested, Narabul Wafa Chaudhary, had previously faced action by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and served a 16-year jail sentence. Moreover, Saifullah Sheikh alias Saif Batata had prior involvements in drug-related crimes in Nashik. Investigations revealed that Sheikh learned to manufacture the drug after encountering criminals during his jail term and subsequently resorted to online tutorials for guidance.