Mumbai police raid drug factory in Uttar Pradesh, seize MD worth Rs 10 crore (original) (raw)

MUMBAI: The Sakinaka police dismantled an MD (Mephedrone) production facility in Uttar Pradesh, confiscating MD valued at Rs 10 crore after they first arrested Israel Sheikh from Kajupada Pipeline in Saki Naka on Dec 31, 2024.
Further inquiry exposed his associates' MD production facility in Uttar Pradesh. Two individuals managing the Lucknow facility were arrested on Feb 8, whilst three others were previously detained from Taloja and Nalasopara in the same case.
Police reports indicate that on Dec 12, 2024, Sheikh was apprehended at Ghas Compound, Kajupada Pipeline, Kurla West, where he intended to sell MD. Subsequent investigation led to the arrest of two accomplices: Jaseem Sheikh from Taloja, who resided in Dharavi, and Pradip alias Chiku Harijan from Nalasopara, who lived in Sewri.
Investigation revealed a broader network of criminals. The police tracked a fourth suspect's mobile number, discovering their use of multiple SIM cards. The suspect was located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. After a week-long pursuit across various cities including Basti, Azamgarh, Varanasi, Mirzapur, and Sultanpur, the Sakinaka police arrested Mohammad Guas alias Monu Idrisi in Lucknow. His questioning revealed that his associate, Akhilesh Pratap Singh, a Lucknow resident, operated an MD facility there.

A police raid at the Shivlar Chaurah facility in Lucknow yielded 5.58 kg of liquid MD worth Rs.9 crore, 500 grams of non-liquid MD valued at Rs.1 crore, and manufacturing equipment worth Rs.18,000. The two accused appeared before the Bandra holiday court on Sunday and were placed in police custody until February 13.