Prayagraj. The Mumbai Police Crime Branch has busted an illegal synthetic drug manufacturing unit allegedly operating under a tin shed on agricultural land in Kosda Kala village of Prayagraj district, Uttar Pradesh. Police recovered 52.932 kg of finished mephedrone, commonly known as MD, from the suspected laboratory. The seized drug has an estimated international market value of around ₹139 crore. Around 260 litres of chemicals and a large quantity of laboratory equipment were also recovered.
According to the Mumbai Police, the operation has exposed a major interstate drug trafficking network spread across four states. A total of 21 accused linked to the syndicate have been arrested so far. Investigators are now tracing the network’s financial transactions, procurement of chemicals, movement of the finished drug and its distribution channels.
Network Trail Began in Nalasopara
The investigation began on the night of June 24 in Nalasopara East, Mumbai. Police intercepted Avinash alias Sonu Loknath Iyer and Ravikant Omprakash Ram near Baba Parking in Pragati Nagar and allegedly recovered 112 grams of MD from them. A case was subsequently registered at Tulinj Police Station.
The investigation was then expanded using technical evidence and information obtained during questioning. Police traced the alleged network to Ranjeesh Mishra and Shivdhan Mishra, residents of Bhadohi. During questioning, the two allegedly disclosed information about a drug manufacturing facility operating in the Manda area of Prayagraj.
According to the information provided to investigators, agricultural land had been rented and a tin shed constructed on the property. A laboratory was allegedly established inside the shed to manufacture mephedrone. The isolated location is suspected to have been chosen to keep the illegal activity away from public attention.
52.932 Kg of Finished MD Seized
Acting on the information, a Mumbai Crime Branch team, with assistance from local police, conducted a raid at the suspected facility in Kosda Kala. During the search, officers recovered 52 kg and 932 grams of finished MD. Police estimated the international market value of the seized drug at approximately ₹139 crore.
The raid also resulted in the seizure of around 260 litres of chemicals, including MMA, acetone, hydrochloric acid and chloroform. According to investigators, these chemicals were allegedly being used in the process of manufacturing synthetic drugs.
Several pieces of specialised laboratory equipment were also recovered. These included 250-litre and 150-litre capacity flasks, heating mantles, dropping funnels, thermometers and other equipment. The scale of the equipment indicated that the facility was allegedly equipped for producing synthetic drugs in significant quantities rather than operating merely as a small-scale setup.
Total MD Seizure Reaches 69.759 Kg
Across the entire operation, Mumbai Police have so far seized a total of 69.759 kg of MD along with ₹18.70 lakh in cash. Investigators are examining the source of the cash and attempting to determine how the drug distribution network operated.
The investigation has also revealed an alleged division of responsibilities within the syndicate. Different members were reportedly assigned specific roles, including manufacturing the drug, arranging chemicals and laboratory equipment, transporting the finished product and distributing it through retail channels.
Investigators are now examining the communication and financial links between the arrested accused to identify the wider structure of the operation. The focus is also on determining whether the seized chemicals were sourced through legitimate commercial channels or obtained through other means.
Educated Accused Raise Concern
According to police, a significant number of those arrested are educated and include graduates. One of the accused is also reported to be an engineer. The involvement of technically educated individuals has prompted investigators to examine whether specialised knowledge was being deliberately used in the production process.
The next stage of the investigation is focused on identifying the final destinations of the MD allegedly manufactured in Prayagraj. Police are trying to determine which states received the drug, who handled transportation and distribution, and how proceeds from the alleged sales were transferred back through the network.
Investigators are also examining the possibility of links with an international drug trafficking network operating outside India. The police are analysing electronic evidence, financial transactions, communication records and information obtained from the arrested accused to establish the full extent of the syndicate.
The seizure in Prayagraj has therefore emerged as a major breakthrough in the wider investigation, with authorities now attempting to identify additional members, suppliers, distributors and potential buyers connected to the alleged interstate drug network.
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About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
