Mumbai's Anti-Narcotics Cell Busts 982 Cases in 8 Months; Seizes Over 48 Cr

According to data shared by Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC), it has busted 982 drug cases in Mumbai. They have seized drugs worth more than INR 48 crores, in the tenure of eight months. Mephedrone or MD, costing more than INR 30 crore, made up the majority of the illegal goods seized by ANC's Mumbai branches.

Drug misuse is now a widespread issue among collegians, school children, and employees of businesses. More people are noticing the disturbing trend in Mumbai and Goa, two cities known for their vibrant nightlife.

Mumbai ANC Deputy Commissioner of Police Prakash Jadhav said, “We are using all means like intelligence gathering, surveillance, and undercover operations to nab the smugglers and make the city drug-free.”

This drug bust by the ANC also proves that India’s Financial and Entertainment hub has a dark side; which cannot be ignored. Drug trafficking and addiction have had a significant negative impact on Mumbai for many years. It is difficult to combat the threat since there are many facets to the crime, from how drugs enter the city to who consumes them. Such offences also carry local, state, and federal penalties.

Several government agencies like ANC and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence have come a long way in busting drug cases in the city for years. They are constantly combating drug traffickers who with time are evolving to run their business.

In a city like Mumbai drugs primarily enter through seaways, roadways, and airways. The officials including the Coast Guard, Mumbai Ports, Navy, and Customs keep a sea watch, police patrol the land, and the air route is protected by Airport Intelligence.

While interstate cartels take advantage of land passage, such as the border between Bihar and Nepal, international syndicates typically favour sea and air routes. It is difficult to prosecute drug cartels because they frequently run their operations out of slum dwellings or other thickly settled places.

When asked why the 'elite' buyer typically escapes punishment and peddlers are frequently arrested, a senior police officer disagreed with the notion that only powerful people take drugs. Consumers come from all social classes, from the wealthy to those with limited (financial) resources.

The war on drugs has thus far demonstrated the need for an all-encompassing strategy. Along with pursuing drug traffickers, addressing the core causes of the problem—poverty and unemployment—and offering counselling and recovery services will help stop the problem in its tracks.

Recently, nine people were detained by Mumbai Crime Branch's Unit Number Six who were involved in bringing drugs from other states to Mumbai for distribution. Kainat Khan, a suspect who is 32 years old, is one of those detained. Kainat is the spouse of Sahil Khan, also known as Massa, one of the main suspects apprehended in this case, according to a Crime Branch official. Kainat ran the drug enterprise in the absence of Massa. Kainat had seized control of Massa's drug-related activities throughout the past two and a half years, while he had been imprisoned. Massa started cocaine smuggling as soon as he was freed from prison in July.

Notably, police authorities constantly watched Massa's movements after he was released because of his long criminal history. Massa was one of nine people who were successfully apprehended by the Crime Branch, and drugs worth lakhs of rupees were also seized.

According to a representative of the Crime Branch, ongoing investigations have revealed possible links between this gang and activities in the Middle East. The gang's connections to drug cartels in the Middle East are currently being investigated.