In a major crackdown on synthetic drugs, the Crime Branch on Sunday dismantled a Madhya Pradesh-based narcotics syndicate, arresting seven persons and seizing 503 grams of mephedrone (MD) valued at Rs 90.6 lakh.
The late-night operation was conducted along the Padegaon–Mitmita Road stretch, where police also confiscated a car, seven mobile phones, and Rs 21,000 in cash.
Commissioner of Police Pravin Pawar described the seizure as the largest MD haul in the city to date. “We are determined to dismantle every link in the supply chain and ensure those poisoning our youth are brought to justice,” he stated.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ratnakar Navale, the arrested accused include three residents of Madhya Pradesh — Arbaaz Zaheer Khan (33) from Dewas, Harsh Omprakash Sharma (24) from Indore, and Anand Deolal Prajapati (24) from Dewas.
The four local recipients have been identified as Sheikh Arbaaz Sheikh Indris (24) of Silkmill Colony, Nadeem Sheikh Aleem Sheikh (22) of Padegaon–Mitmita, Azhar Abubakar Sheikh (28) of Devgaon Rangari in Kannad, and Faizan Mukhtar Sheikh (21) of Ansar Colony in Padegaon.
Police said they had received specific intelligence about the arrival of the consignment. Acting swiftly, officers laid a trap along the Padegaon–Mitmita stretch. When the trio arrived at an open plot in Mitmita and spotted police presence, they attempted to flee but were chased down and arrested. The MD was recovered from their vehicle.
Further analysis of the accused’s mobile phones revealed that the drugs were meant to be delivered to Sheikh Arbaaz Indris, who would then distribute the contraband to Nadeem Sheikh and Azhar alias Ajju. Police subsequently arrested the remaining four accused.
Investigations are ongoing to trace the broader supply chain and financial links of the narcotics network.
