The Mother of All Drug Busts: ₹12,000 Cr Seizure Rocks India

The factory, disguised as a chemical unit, churned out huge quantities of mephedrone supplied to Mumbai through agents and criminal networks.

BY PC Bureau

September 6, 2025: Who says drug rackets only thrive in India’s northeast? A major syndicate operating out of Telangana has just dealt a loud rebuttal.

In one of India’s biggest narcotics crackdowns, Mira Road Police from Maharashtra’s Thane district have busted a large-scale drug manufacturing syndicate in Telangana.

Officials said the operation led to the seizure of mephedrone (MD) worth an estimated ₹12,000 crore, along with about 35,000 litres of precursor chemicals used in production.

Raids at a factory in the Cheramalli area turned up roughly 35,000 litres of chemicals believed to be precursors for synthetic drug production. Officials say the plant was run under the cover of a chemical unit.

Preliminary probes indicate the unit had been operating for several years, churning out hundreds of kilos of mephedrone and routing consignments to Mumbai through local agents and criminal networks. Investigators say the operation used legitimate-looking paperwork and a chemical-factory facade to mask its activities.

Mira Bhayandar–Vasai Virar (MBVV) police’s raid at a factory in Cherlapally’s Navodaya Colony led to the seizure of drugs with an estimated worth of Rs 12,000 crore and the arrest of the factory owner, Srinivas Vijay Murthy Voleti and his accomplice, Tanaji Pandharinath Patwari… pic.twitter.com/64hmoqrnHe

— The Siasat Daily (@TheSiasatDaily) September 6, 2025

The multi-agency crackdown — conducted after a tip-off and nearly a month of surveillance — involved raids at more than 60 locations. So far, 12 people have been arrested, including a Bangladeshi woman earlier detained in Mira Road and an accused described by police as an IT expert who allegedly misused his technical knowledge to run the operation.

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Officials say the probe has international dimensions because of the suspected involvement of foreign nationals; investigators are tracing supply chains, financial links and distribution routes. Authorities called this one of the biggest synthetic-drug seizures of the year.

The Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar police say work continues to recover seized material, make further arrests and dismantle the wider network. NDTV’s reporting on the bust has been corroborated by other national outlets.

What is Mephedrone?

Mephedrone, commonly known as MD or “Meow Meow,” is a synthetic stimulant that belongs to the cathinone class of drugs, chemically similar to amphetamines and MDMA (ecstasy). It is usually found in powder, capsule, or crystalline form and is consumed by snorting, swallowing, or injecting. The drug induces feelings of euphoria, alertness, and energy, often accompanied by increased sociability and talkativeness.

However, mephedrone is highly addictive and dangerous. Prolonged use can lead to severe health issues, including heart problems, brain and nerve damage, anxiety, paranoia, and violent behavior. In India, it is classified as a psychotropic substance under the NDPS Act, making its production, trafficking, and use strictly illegal. Despite this, large-scale seizures in recent years show that it remains one of the most trafficked synthetic drugs in the country.

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India’s Biggest Drug Seizures

2025 – Cheramalli, Telangana

Drugs seized: Mephedrone (MD) worth ₹12,000 crore + 35,000 litres precursor chemicals
Notes: India’s biggest synthetic drug bust; mastermind an IT expert.

2021 – Mundra Port, Gujarat