Mumbai — The Mumbai Police have arrested a prime accused in the ₹252-crore mephedrone seizure case following his deportation from Dubai, officials said on Thursday. The accused, identified as Shaikh, had a Red Corner Notice issued against him by Interpol.
According to investigators, Shaikh was actively planning to establish drug manufacturing factories across India and was exploring large-scale distribution networks for mephedrone, a highly addictive synthetic stimulant often used as a party drug.
Police said Shaikh is the third accused to be extradited from the United Arab Emirates in connection with the case. Earlier, the authorities had secured the custody of Tahir Salim Dola, son of notorious drug kingpin Salim Dola, and Mustafa Mohammed Kubbawala.
The multi-crore drug racket came to light when Mumbai Police’s Anti-Narcotics Cell raided a mephedrone manufacturing unit in Maharashtra’s Sangli district earlier this year. During the operation, officers seized a massive haul of mephedrone and raw materials used to produce the narcotic, collectively valued at ₹252 crore.
Officials confirmed that 15 people have been arrested so far in connection with the case, which is one of the biggest synthetic drug seizures in Maharashtra’s history. The investigation into the wider network, including financial backers and international links, is currently underway.
