Police have seized mephedrone (MD) valued at Rs 2.14 crore from a car in Maharashtra`s Thane city and arrested four persons in this connection, officials said on Wednesday, reported news agency PTI.
Based on suspicion, sleuths of the police`s anti-narcotics cell intercepted a car at a spot near the MTNL office in the Charai area on Monday evening and carried out a check.
They recovered 1.716 kilograms of mephedrone, a banned synthetic stimulant, valued at Rs 2,14,32,000, from the car and also impounded the vehicle, an official from Naupada police station said, reported PTI.
The police arrested the car driver Imran alias Bacchu Kizhar Khan (37), businessman Vakas Abdulrab Khan (30), farmer Takuddin Rafique Khan (30) and labourer Kamlesh Ajay Chouhan (23), all hailing from Madhya Pradesh, he said, reported PTI.
A case was registered against the accused under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and a probe was on into it, the police said.
DRI Mumbai seizes over 42 kg high-quality hydroponic weed worth Rs 42 crore at Mumbai Airport; two arrested
In another case, in a major success under continuing “Operation Weed Out”, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 42.34 kg of high-grade Hydroponic Weed, valued at approximately Rs 42 crore in the illicit market, from two passengers arriving from Bangkok at Mumbai`s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) on Sunday, reported ANI.
According to the release of the Ministry of Finance, acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers intercepted the two passengers shortly after arrival and subjected their baggage to detailed examination. The search led to the recovery of 21 food packets, including noodles and biscuits, which were found to contain Hydroponic Weed concealed ingeniously within regular food packaging. Field tests using the NDPS kit confirmed the presence of narcotic substances, reported ANI.
The contraband, weighing 42.34 kg, was seized under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and both passengers were arrested.
This marks the second major drug bust by DRI in just three days, following the seizure of 4.7 kg of cocaine worth Rs 47 crore on Friday (31.10.2025), in which five persons, including carriers, financers, handlers, and distributors, were arrested. Together, these operations have led to the recovery of over Rs 100 crore worth of narcotics in the past three days, dealing a decisive blow to organised drug-trafficking networks operating through India`s western gateways, reported ANI.
Additionally, under Operation Weed Out, the DRI has seized 292.9 kg of Hydroponic weed at various airports in India.
The DRI continues to remain vigilant against evolving smuggling trends, particularly the increasing use of food packets and consumable items for drug concealment and Indian nationals as carriers, reported ANI.
The DRI stands firm in its commitment to building a Nasha Mukt Bharat by relentlessly intercepting narcotics, dismantling international trafficking networks, and safeguarding the health, well-being, and security of citizens.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI)
