Image used for representative purpose only

PALGHAR: In a major operation, Boisar police raided a flat in a residential building and seized 1,208 grams of Mephedrone at 2 am on Saturday. According to the police, the total market value of the seized drugs is estimated at Rs 2.42 crore.
The police arrested a Vasai-based man, identified as Amaan Naim Murad (29), and also confiscated raw materials required for drug production. A case has been registered under the NDPS Act, 1985, and the accused was produced in court, which remanded him to two days of police custody.
At the crime scene, police discovered raw materials, a finished batch of Mephedrone, and a small lab setup.
Flat used for drug production
The flat, used for manufacturing drugs, was located in Building No. 17, Katkar Pada, Boisar. According to DSP Vikas Naik, the accused had been renting the flat for two and a half years and initially lived there with his family. Sources confirmed that Murad moved his family to Vasai six months ago, around the same time he quit his job.
Murad has extensive work experience in the chemical industry, which may have helped him in drug manufacturing, an angle the police are now investigating.
Naik confirmed that a lab was set up in this rental flat where Mephedrone was being produced. He procured raw materials, manufactured the final product, and then sold it in the market. We are now investigating the supply chain and identifying other suspects involved in this case.
The police also confirmed that the accused is well-educated, holding a Master’s degree in Chemistry, and has in-depth knowledge of chemical reactions and compositions.
Recent drug seizures in the last five days
On 6th February, Tulinj police arrested a Nigerian national for possession of Mephedrone worth Rs 20.40 lakh. He was caught in Vijay Nagar, Nalasopara East, after the police received a tip-off on 30th January that a person matching his description would be visiting the area to sell drugs. A trap was set accordingly, and he was apprehended with the drugs in his possession. He has been identified as Ogbuefi Ibeh (49), a resident of Mira Road.
On 4th February, Achole police arrested a Ghanaian national, Albert Kopi Opoku, during night patrol. He was found in possession of drugs worth Rs 26 lakh, including 1.049 kg of Ephedrine worth Rs 21 lakh and 17.3 grams of cocaine worth Rs 5.19 lakh.
The police also confirmed that he did not have a passport, visa, or any official document issued by the Government of India.
Both accused were booked under the NDPS Act, 1985.