Police in Thane have made a significant narcotics seizure with the arrest of a 55-year-old man allegedly found in possession of a substantial quantity of mephedrone, commonly known as MD. The contraband, with an estimated street value of Rs 7.2 lakh, was recovered from the accused in the Ulhasnagar area.
Patrol Team's Vigilance Leads to Arrest
The arrest unfolded on Friday afternoon after a patrolling team from the Vitthalwadi police station grew suspicious of a man's movements. Officials stated that the individual was spotted behaving in a manner that raised immediate red flags, prompting the team to intercept him for questioning.
"Our team on routine patrol noticed the accused moving around in a suspicious manner. He was subsequently questioned and subjected to a personal search," a police official explained. This proactive check led to the discovery of the illegal substance in his possession.
Details of the Drug Seizure and Accused
Upon searching the man, the police team recovered 36.3 grams of mephedrone powder. The accused was identified as Ismail Mohammad Safhi Abbasi, a native of Indore in Madhya Pradesh. The police have not yet disclosed his exact reasons for being in the Ulhasnagar region of Thane district at the time of the arrest.
The market value of the seized narcotics was promptly assessed by authorities, who pegged it at approximately Rs 7.2 lakh, underscoring the seriousness of the haul. Mephedrone is a synthetic stimulant drug with high abuse potential and is banned under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigation
Following the seizure, Ismail Mohammad Safhi Abbasi was formally placed under arrest. The Vitthalwadi police have registered a case against him under relevant sections of the stringent NDPS Act. He was produced before a local court, which remanded him to police custody for further interrogation.
Investigators are now delving deeper into the case to uncover the source of the narcotics and its intended destination. "The probe aims to determine whether the accused is part of a larger drug distribution network operating in the region," the official added. Police are working to trace the supply chain and identify any potential accomplices.
This arrest highlights the continued efforts of the Thane Police to crack down on the drug trade within the city's limits. Officials have reiterated their commitment to maintaining strict vigilance and taking decisive action against individuals involved in the possession and sale of illegal substances.
