Cops bust state-wide drug syndicate, seize party drugs worth Rs 3 crore in Thane

The arrest of a Nigerian drug peddler in Kalyan this Monday helped crime branch sleuths bust a state-wide drug syndicate that was operational in Vasant Vihar area of Thane.

The crime branch seized 7 kg of ephedrine, a party drug, worth nearly Rs 3 crore and arrested two men, including an employee of a pharmaceutical company.

Those arrested have been identified as Sagar Powale, a resident of Panvel, and Mayur Sukhdare, a Khalapur resident. The police suspect that the ephedrine was taken out of the pharmaceutical company by Powale and Sukhdre is a peddler.

However, the seizure has taken the Thane police by surprise as this is one of the biggest drug haul in recent times and that too with the relatively uncommon precursor drug, which is a prescription medicine used in cancer treatment.

Ephedrine is a white powder used to prepare medicines, especially to fight cancer, but its abuse as a stimulant and appetite suppressant can give the same effect as cocaine. It is fast replacing traditional, designer narcotics such as heroin and cocaine and is a vital ingredient in the manufacture of methamphetamine.

According to the police, ephedrine is a party drug and also acts as a primary raw ingredient for preparing amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) that are commonly used drugs such as Ecstasy, Speed and Base, Ice and Methamphetamine. These are synthetic drugs created by processing chemical ingredients at high intensity.

On Monday, Local Press Co had reported Nigerian drug peddler held in Kalyan with Rs 12.5 lakh worth of ‘meow meow’ the arrest of Nigerian national, Okoyo Chinnas who was arrested with 500 gm of mephedrone.

During interrogation, he reportedly revealed that 7 kg ephedrine was stocked in the Vasant Vihar area. Acting upon the information, the cops arrested the duo and seized the contraband.