Mumbai: NCB busts interstate drug syndicate in city, MMR; 1 arrested

The Narcotics Control Bureau NCB in Mumbai has busted an interstate drug syndicate and seized over 150 kgs of codeine syrup and other narcotic substances The authorities made a seizure and arrested one person after receiving intel about the network operating from Mumbra in Thane district that was illegally obtaining and distributing medicinal pharmaceuticals in Mumbai and Mumbai Metropolitan Region MMROfficials said several people were involved in the widespread purchase of illegal prescription drugs from other states They said they got this information through field research and analysisThe NCB Mumbai officials said that in their probe they found out that a courier line was used to source the drugs which were stored in PanvelIn wake of heightened security input was gathered wherein a Mumbra DisttThane based syndicate was actively involved in the procurement of illicitly diverted pharmaceutical drugs and further distributing the consignment in Mumbai and MMR Accordingly intensive field intelligence and analysis led to the identification of a few persons who were involved in bulk quantity procurement of illicit pharma drugs from other states Upon further technical workout a courier line was identified which was being misused for the transportation purpose Gradually a storage location for the safekeeping of the procured drugs was noted in Panvel DisttRaigarh Based on the effort made information was analysed wherein a bulk consignment of drugs was to be delivered at the storage location said a press statement issued by Amit Ghawate Additional Director NCBIt further read On 04052024 active surveillance was mounted on the storage location area and it was informed that parcel was delivered in the location NCBMumbai team maintained the discreet surveillance and awaited for the suspected person named TMShafi Later on TM Shafi came into the area in a car to pick up the consignment Subsequently TM Shafi was intercepted by NCBMumbai officers and when search of the premises was taken a total of Codeine syrup weighing 1697 kgs and 12400 tablets of Alprazolam were recoveredAccording to the press statement issued by NCB officials active surveillance was put in place on May 4 at the storage facility where a package arrived After conducting covert surveillance TM Shafi a suspected individual was arrested by NCBMumbai officers when he came to collect the parcel 12400 alprazolam tablets and 1697 kg of codeine syrup were seized during a search of the propertyWhen TM Shafi was questioned further he disclosed the location of another consignment in the Mumbra Thane area Following a search a team from NCBMumbai found 10380 tablets of nitrazepam and 9600 tablets of alprazolamShafis car was taken away along with all other confiscated goods More questions are being asked of Shafi and incriminating evidence has been found during ongoing investigations More research is being doneConsequently the spot interrogation of TM Shafi led to the disclosure of another consignment at another location in Mumbra DisttThane Immediately a team of NCBMumbai team proceeded to the area Upon identification a search of premises was conducted which led to further recovery of 9600 tablets of Alprazolam and 10380 tablets of Nitrazepam Accordingly all the illicitly procured contraband the vehicle used by TM Shafi were seized TM Shafi was subjected to further questioning wherein incriminating data has been disclosed which is presently under investigation Further investigation is underway the statement further read