₹256-Crore Mephedrone Drug Racket: Mumbai Crime Branch Arrests Key Chemical Supplier From Gujarat, Extradites Accused From UAE

Mumbai: In a significant breakthrough in the ₹256-crore Mephedrone drug manufacturing case, the Mumbai Crime Branch has arrested Brijjesh (35) from Gujarat for allegedly supplying essential chemicals used in the production of MD (Mephedrone). The arrest further strengthens the case against Taher Salim Dola and Mustafa Kubbawala key accused in the sprawling synthetic drug syndicate.

According to investigators, Brijjesh was the main supplier of raw materials to Dola and Kubbawala, who were allegedly running a large-scale drug manufacturing operation out of Sangli. Brijjesh was produced in court on Saturday and remanded to police custody till July 29.

Meanwhile, in a major international operation, the CBI successfully coordinated the extradition of Mustafa Kubbawala from the United Arab Emirates. Kubbawala had been absconding and was wanted by Mumbai Police in connection with operating a synthetic drug factory in Sangli. The factory was raided in late 2024, leading to the seizure of 126.141 kg of Mephedrone worth ₹256 crore and the arrest of 13 people.

A Mumbai Police team had flown to Dubai on July 7 to bring Kubbawala back after UAE authorities approved his extradition on June 19, 2025. He was brought to Mumbai on Friday. The operation was carried out through INTERPOL coordination, with the CBI’s International Police Cooperation Unit (IPCU) and the National Central Bureau in Abu Dhabi playing key roles.

The CBI had earlier secured a Red Notice against Kubbawala through INTERPOL on November 25, 2024. This marks the second successful extradition in the case the first being that of Taher Salim Dola, who was brought back from the UAE on June 13. Dola is believed to be a close aide of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim and allegedly oversaw drug operations in India.

The crackdown has highlighted the nexus between drug cartels and organised crime syndicates operating across borders. With Kubbawala and Dola now in custody and the arrest of chemical supplier Brijjesh, Mumbai Police and the CBI are tightening the noose around one of India’s biggest synthetic drug rackets. Further investigation is ongoing.