The Mumbai Police’s Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) has achieved a major breakthrough under its ongoing special drive against narcotics in the city. In a late-night operation conducted on Sunday in Vile Parle East, police seized 7.6 kilograms of hydroponic cannabis and arrested a suspected drug peddler. The seized contraband is estimated to be worth ₹7.69 crore in the international market.
According to police officials, a special anti-drug operation was carried out across Mumbai between 9:00 pm on April 5 and 4:00 am on April 6. The objective of the operation was to crack down on individuals involved in the purchase, sale, transportation, and storage of narcotic substances.
As part of the operation, a team from the ANC’s Worli Unit was patrolling the Vile Parle East area. At around 11:30 pm, the team noticed a youth standing on Firozshah Mehta Road with a trolley bag. On spotting the police vehicle, the suspect appeared nervous and attempted to leave the spot hastily, raising suspicion.
The police team immediately intercepted him. During questioning, the accused identified himself as Adnan Nasir Khan (24), a resident of Mira Road and originally from Nashik. Upon sustained interrogation, he confessed that the trolley bag contained hydroponic cannabis intended for sale.
A search of the bag led to the recovery of cannabis packed in a white plastic bag. Preliminary examination confirmed it to be hydroponic cannabis, a high-grade variant cultivated using modern techniques, making it more potent and expensive than conventional marijuana. The contraband was sealed and seized on the spot.
Police also recovered a mobile phone and passport from the accused, which have been taken into custody for further investigation.
A case has been registered at Vile Parle Police Station under relevant sections of the NDPS Act, including Section 20(b). Police are now probing the source of the drugs and the intended recipients. Officials suspect the involvement of a larger drug syndicate behind the matter.
Notably, Mumbai Police have seized narcotics worth approximately ₹38 crore over the past two months as part of their intensified crackdown on drug trafficking.