Boisar Police Bust Bigtime Drug Manufacturing Racket, Seize Mephedrone Worth Rs 2.42 Crore

In a major breakthrough, Boisar Police raided a residential flat in Boisar, Maharashtra, and seized a large consignment of Mephedrone, a banned synthetic drug. The raid was carried out at 2 am on Saturday, which resulted in the arrest of a 29-year-old Vasai-based man, Amaan Naim Murad, and the seizure of raw materials used for the production of the banned drug. The total market value of seized drugs is around a whopping Rs 2.42 crore.

Details of Raid and Seizure

The raid was conducted at Building No. 17 in Katkar Pada, Boisar, where the police found a small-scale drug manufacturing laboratory set up inside the flat. Apart from 1,208 grams of Mephedrone, the police seized raw materials and equipment used to manufacture the synthetic drug. Accused Amaan Naim Murad was arrested on the spot and later produced in court, which remanded him to two days of police custody for further interrogation.

According to DSP Vikas Naik, the flat was being rented by Murad for the last two and a half years. First, he stayed with his family in it, but six months ago, he shifted them to Vasai and stopped going to work. This move seemed suspicious, and the police started keeping an eye on his activities. These activities led the police to raid his flat.

**Accused's Background and Expertise

A lot of questions have been raised over Murad's immense experience in the chemical industry, which seems to be the only helpful background to prepare Mephedrone. Having a Master's in Chemistry, Murad had sound knowledge of various chemical reactions and compositions, which he used, according to allegations, to produce the synthetic drug. DSP Naik told media persons that the accused had procured raw materials, prepared the final product at his den, and distributed it in the market.

The police are looking into the chain of supply and trying to shortlist other names involved in the drug racket. Murad, with his knowledge in chemistry and access to chemical raw materials, is a suspect in this case. They are also investigating as to whether he had any associates or links with big drug syndicates.

Flats Used as Drug Manufacturing Unit

The flat at Katkar Pada in Boisar was used solely to manufacture drugs, sources informed police. He allegedly prepared a miniature laboratory inside the flat to produce Mephedrone, an addictive psychoactive stimulant popular among rave parties. Recovering raw material besides a batch of the drug apparently indicates the full-scale production since quite sometime.

DSP Naik said, "Accused had taken the flat on rent two and half years back and was utilizing it as base for his anti-social activities. Now, police are trying to find out entire network involved in this drug racket from suppliers to distributors."

Recent Drug Seizures in the Region

The Boisar raid is part of the larger crackdown in the region on narcotics trafficking. Over the last five days, police made several seizures and arrests, putting in the spotlight the growing synthetic drugs problem in Maharashtra.

**1. Nigerian National Arrested in Nalasopara

Tulinj Police arrested a Nigerian national, Ogbuefi Ibeh (49), from Vijay Nagar in Nalasopara East on February 6. Acting on a tip-off received on January 30, the police laid a trap and arrested Ibeh with Mephedrone worth Rs 20.40 lakh. The accused, who resides at Mira Road, was booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

2. Ghanaian National Caught with Drugs in Achole

Achole Police arrested Albert Kopi Opoku, a Ghanaian national, during a night patrol on February 4. Opoku was found in possession of drugs worth Rs 26 lakh, including 1.049 kg of Ephedrine valued at Rs 21 lakh and 17.3 grams of cocaine valued at Rs 5.19 lakh. Investigations revealed that Opoku did not possess a valid passport, visa, or any official documents issued by the Government of India. He was also charged under the NDPS Act.

The Growing Menace of Synthetic Drugs

The recent seizures highlight the growing prevalence of synthetic drugs like Mephedrone, Ephedrine, and Cocaine in the region. These substances, often referred to as "designer drugs," are chemically engineered to emulate the effects of traditional narcotics but turn out far more potent and dangerous. Their fabrication requires a good level of expertise in chemistry, therefore making individuals like Murad key to such trade.

Mephedrone, also known as "Meow Meow," is a highly addictive stimulant that has gained popularity among youth due to its euphoric effects. However, its use can lead to severe health complications, including heart attacks, anxiety, and psychosis. The high profitability of the drug has made it a favorite among drug manufacturers and traffickers.

Police Efforts to Combat Drug Trafficking

The Boisar Police raid is in continuation of its relentless effort to put an end to the drug trafficking in the region. DSP Vikas Naik said, "The police are determined to break the network of drugs and bring the accused to book." "We are working tirelessly to identify and apprehend all individuals involved in this racket. But this is not restricted to the manufacturer alone; there are suppliers, distributors who create a network in spreading these hazardous substances," he said.

Police have also sought the public to report any suspected activities or drug traffickers involved in the act. Community help is considered quintessential in combatting the abuse of drugs.

Legal Implications and NDPS Act

Accused persons have been booked under the NDPS Act, 1985, in all three cases. It is a strict law that stipulates severe punishment in the form of imprisonment and fines for offenses relating to manufacturing, possession, and sale of narcotics. The NDPS Act also gives adequate powers to the enforcement agencies to seize assets acquired through illicit drug trafficking.

In Murad's case, police are investigating if he utilized his chemical knowledge in the manufacture of other synthetic drugs apart from Mephedrone. He will be facing a long prison sentence and heavy fines if convicted.

The Role of Education and Awareness

The involvement of highly educated people like Murad in drug manufacturing points to the need for more awareness and education regarding the consequences of drug abuse. Murad's knowledge in chemistry could have been used for legitimate purposes, but it was diverted into illegal activities, causing harm to society.

Now, the authorities have started considering how they can engage in a fruitful dialogue with educationists and chemical industries to ascertain that technical knowledge is not being misused. Workshops, seminars, and awareness campaigns are being chalked out about the responsible utilization of skills by students and professionals.

Conclusion

This recovery and the raid by Boisar Police in Mephedrone worth Rs 2.42 crore mark a big achievement in the anti-narcotic war. With Amaan Naim Murad's arrest, the dismantling of his module for drug manufacture upped the ante on growing sophistication of such networks.

As the police investigate further into the supply chain and identify other suspects, it becomes clear that combating the drug menace requires a multi-pronged approach: stringent law enforcement, community involvement, and educational initiatives. The recent seizures in Boisar, Nalasopara, and Achole have brought into sharp focus the synthetic drugs challenge and the need for collective action.