Main supplier of MD in suburbs caught

Mumbai: The Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of the Mumbai crime branch has busted the main link in the supply of mephedrone (MD) in the western suburbs, seizing 1.05 kg of the banned substance worth Rs 20 lakh from him. The accused was the main supplier to local peddlers between Kandivali and Bandra, and had been hoodwinking the police for a couple of years.

The accused, Shabbir Khan, 32, was successful in keeping the investigators at bay as he had no past case against him and worked with pseudo identities while dealing in drugs. The accused was procuring drugs from outside Mumbai, ANC officials suspect.

“The accused would supply MD to local peddlers who would sell it in smaller quantities to consumers. He was into the business for a couple of years and we are looking into his past records,” said Shivdeep Lande, deputy commissioner of police, ANC. The officials said that he had been supplying MD to at least 20 peddlers in Lokhandwala, Andheri and Bandra, and was a known supplier in the circuit who used school children for peddling.

Khan was apprehended from near Andheri Dongar from a footpath on Cama Road in Andheri (west) where he was loitering around aimlessly. The officials said that he was carrying something suspicious in a bag. A team headed by assistant inspector Khaire and inspector Wadhavane apprehended him. When his luggage was checked, ANC officials found 1.05 kg MD in his possession.

Upon questioning the officials learnt that Khan resides at Yusuf Baba chawl in Edgah Maidan, Jogeshwari (east). The police will also search his residence for more contraband.