Secret drug lab busted in South Bombay flat; pills, gun, bullets seized, Bangladeshi woman among 3 held

MUMBAI: In a major drug bust, the Kandivli anti-narcotics cell (ANC) unearthed an illegal mephedrone (MD) manufacturing lab operating out of a rented one-BHK flat in South Mumbai's Agripada and arrested three accused, including a suspected Bangladeshi woman, leaving police stunned as neither the flat owner nor neighbours had any clue about the clandestine operation.

The three arrested have been identified as Shoiab Shaukat alias Mansur, Sufiyan Mansur and Mamuni Sarkar.

Police have seized 14.493kg of narcotics, including 8.305kg of liquid MD and 6.188kg of mephedrone powder, collectively valued at Rs 50.74 crore. Police said the key person is Shoiab who is a habitual robber and has few body offences registered against him. Mamuni and Shaoib are in live in relations.

Acting on information, the Kandivali Unit led by inspector Shashikant Jagdale and his team raided Yasmin Tower on May 25, and seized 14.493 kg of narcotics, including 8.305 kg of liquid MD and 6.188 kg of mephedrone powder, collectively valued at Rs 50.74 crore.

Police also recovered chemicals, raw materials and equipment used for manufacturing the synthetic drug. A pistol and 19 live cartridges were also seized. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and Arms Act.

During the course of investigation, police learnt that Shoaib was taking instructions from someone over the phone on how to manufacture the drug. Police have also seized their mobile phones to trace the persons to whom they were selling the contraband.

“We have just arrested the three accused and are trying to figure out for what purpose they had procured the weapon and whether they had used it somewhere,’’ said Navnath Dhavale, deputy commissioner of police.