Mangal Prabhat Lodha chaired a high-level anti-drug committee meeting in Mumbai after concerns linked to a reported NESCO drug consumption-related incident intensified public scrutiny. The initiative, approved by Devendra Fadnavis, aims to expand anti-drug awareness programmes across educational institutions, housing societies, and civic spaces within the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation jurisdiction. Simultaneously, investigators continued probing the Mira-Bhayandar MD drugs case involving alleged interstate narcotics operations, synthetic drug manufacturing, and suspected international chemical supply links connected to Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu.

Mumbai Anti-Drug Campaign: Mangal Prabhat Lodha Leads High-Level Meeting After NESCO Incident

Maharashtra minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha chaired the first high-level anti-drug committee meeting in Mumbai following concerns over a reported drug consumption-related incident at NESCO in Goregaon.

The meeting was led by Mangal Prabhat Lodha, who also serves as co-guardian minister for the Mumbai suburban district, to accelerate anti-drug awareness campaigns across Mumbai city and suburban regions.

The initiative follows a Maharashtra Day announcement by Mangal Prabhat Lodha regarding year-long anti-drug awareness programmes within the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation jurisdiction, targeting educational institutions, housing societies, and public spaces.

Following approval from Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Home Department constituted a high-level committee chaired by Mangal Prabhat Lodha to coordinate statewide anti-drug awareness initiatives and public outreach programmes.

June 26 anti-drug awareness campaign planned across Mumbai

Officials discussed plans for large-scale awareness activities on June 26, observed globally as International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, through simultaneous online programmes across Mumbai institutions and civic centres.

Mira-Bhayandar MD Drugs Case Explained: Interstate Narcotics Network Allegedly Linked To China Imports And Crypto Payments

The investigation into the Mira-Bhayandar MD drugs case has uncovered an alleged interstate narcotics syndicate operating across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu, with police claiming synthetic drug laboratories functioned through a coordinated illegal network.

The case began after the recovery of 1.324 kilograms of mephedrone, commonly known as MD drugs, from the residence of Firdos Arbaaz Qureshi in Mira Road during a police operation conducted last month.

Following the initial seizure, Crime Branch officials expanded the investigation and reportedly arrested 15 accused while recovering more than 6.773 kilograms of MD drugs alongside chemicals, laboratory equipment, and synthetic manufacturing materials.

Investigators alleged that secret drug laboratories were operating in multiple locations across Maharashtra and other states, while some chemical compounds used in manufacturing were allegedly imported from China through clandestine supply channels.

Crime Branch traces alleged MD drug manufacturing network

During subsequent raids, Crime Branch officials arrested Moiz Khan and Arman Ali Raiyeen from Jogeshwari after allegedly recovering narcotic substances and chemical materials from a garment shop linked to the investigation.

Police claimed that the interrogation of Moiz Khan led investigators to Sunil Yadav, who later reportedly surrendered before police authorities, accompanied by his legal representative, during the ongoing investigation.

Further investigation resulted in the arrests of Mohammed Waseem Shaikh from Mira Road, Irfan Kadiya from Rajkot, and Agripada residents Mohammed Ashraf Ansari and Khalda Ansari.

According to investigators, the arrests were linked to the seizure of approximately five kilograms of MD drugs allegedly connected to the larger narcotics distribution and manufacturing network operating across different regions.

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Malvani and Manori laboratories emerge as key investigation points

Police later arrested Akram Khan, Waseem Shaikh alias Waseem Mandap, Aziz Khan, and Dayanand alias Daya Manik Mudanar from Mira Road, Vasai, and Malvani during coordinated operations.

Investigators alleged that Dayanand Mudanar, reportedly known as a “doctor” within the narcotics network, possessed expertise in manufacturing MD drugs and supervised operations despite reportedly suffering from paralysis.

Crime Branch officials also arrested Nishant Ramesh Chettiar, alias Hamza, from Mira Road, alleging he sourced chemicals domestically and internationally, including imports allegedly originating from China.

Police further claimed that payments for imported chemicals were allegedly routed through cryptocurrency transactions, highlighting concerns regarding technologically sophisticated financing methods allegedly adopted by interstate narcotics syndicates operating across India.

During interrogation, investigators reportedly recovered a mobile phone video allegedly showing Nishant Chettiar and Akram Khan manufacturing narcotic substances inside one of the clandestine laboratories connected to the ongoing investigation.

Defence lawyers dispute allegations as investigation continues

According to Crime Branch sources, accused Waseem Shaikh alias Waseem Mandap allegedly permitted chemicals linked to synthetic drug production to be stored inside a warehouse connected to wedding-related business activities in Malvani.

During site verification, authorities allegedly discovered that a farmhouse in Manori, reportedly linked to the laboratory operations, stood on encroached Collector’s land, prompting communication with concerned administrative departments for further action.

Advocate Mehmood Shaikh, representing accused Arman Ali Kalam Ali Rain, Sunil Yadav, and Akash Satyaram Yadav, denied wrongdoing and stated no drugs were recovered from his clients during police operations.

The defence counsel further argued that statements made by accused individuals are not admissible as evidence under Supreme Court judgments, while maintaining that the matter remains under active investigation before competent authorities.

The investigation continues as authorities examine interstate supply routes, cryptocurrency transactions, laboratory operations, chemical procurement chains, and possible links between accused individuals across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu. Sprouts News will continue monitoring official developments and legally verifiable investigative findings connected to the case.

Readers with verified information, documents, or inputs related to crime, narcotics, corruption, or public interest investigations may contact investigative and crime journalist Unmesh Gujarathi’s team in Mumbai on 9322755098.

Editorial Note:

This article is based on publicly available FIR records, court case references, and reports published by multiple media organizations. The information is presented in the context of ongoing investigations and public interest reporting. Sprouts News does not make any judicial determination regarding the individuals mentioned and does not intend to defame any person or organization. Any individual seeking clarification or wishing to provide an official response may contact the editorial team with verifiable documentation. The information is presented for journalistic and informational purposes.