Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Feb 20: In a major crackdown on narcotics, the Mumbai Crime Branch has arrested two individuals from Dadar and seized a massive consignment of Mephedrone (MD) worth ?10.08 crore in the international market. The high-value bust was executed following intelligence provided by senior officer and encounter specialist Daya Nayak.

Acting on a tip-off, a team from Crime Branch Unit 9 raided a guest house near Dadar railway station, leading to the detention of two suspects and the recovery of 5 kg 40 grams of Mephedrone, a powerful synthetic stimulant classified as a New Psychoactive Substance (NPS). The arrested individuals have been identified as Jahangir Sheikh (29) and Senual Sheikh (28). As the Crime Branch team closed in, the accused attempted to flee, but officers acted swiftly and arrested them. A thorough search led to the discovery of the narcotics, which qualify as a commercial quantity under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Following the seizure, a case has been registered at Matunga Police Station under Sections 8(C), 22(C), and 29 of the NDPS Act. With legal authorization, Crime Branch Unit 9 has taken over the investigation to trace the drug supply chain and identify the source, distribution network, and other individuals involved.

Veteran officer Daya Nayak, known for his crime-fighting record, played a key role in the operation. Nayak gained prominence in the late 1990s for his involvement in taking down members of the Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Rajan syndicates, establishing his reputation as an encounter specialist in Mumbai’s underworld crackdown.

Commonly referred to as MD or Meow Meow, Mephedrone is a synthetic stimulant that mimics the effects of methamphetamine and MDMA (Ecstasy). The drug is notorious for its euphoric effects, making it a growing concern in the illegal drug trade. However, its consumption poses severe health risks, including paranoia, hallucinations, aggressive behavior, and addiction.

The Mumbai Crime Branch is now intensifying its probe to uncover the broader network behind this drug trade and track down suppliers, distributors, and potential international links. Further arrests are expected as officials continue their efforts to dismantle the supply chain of this high-risk synthetic drug.