The Mumbai Zonal Unit of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has destroyed a massive cache of narcotics, including 1,835 kg of mephedrone and 341 kg of other controlled substances, in one of the largest pre-trial drug disposal operations conducted in recent years. The contraband was recovered during multiple raids carried out across Maharashtra and Delhi, resulting in the arrest of 16 individuals, including a foreign national.

According to NCB officials, the high-volume seizure was the result of an intensive, months-long investigation that exposed a deeply entrenched drug network with international links. The probe revealed that the arrested suspects were part of closely connected trafficking groups involved in the large-scale production, distribution and financing of synthetic drugs. Officials said the operation struck at the heart of a well-coordinated drug syndicate that had been operating across state and national borders.

To oversee the disposal process, a High-Level Drug Disposal Committee (HLDDC) was constituted in line with guidelines issued by the Supreme Court. The committee included the Deputy Director General (South West Region) of NCB, the Additional Director of the NCB Mumbai Zonal Unit, and the Additional Commissioner of Pune Police. After a detailed review, the case was deemed suitable for pre-trial disposal.

Following compliance with all legal requirements, the seized drugs and associated chemicals were incinerated on November 14, 2025, at MEPL in Ranjangaon, Pune, under the supervision of HLDDC members. The controlled destruction marked a significant milestone in the case, ensuring that the massive stockpile would not re-enter the illicit market.

NCB officials said the operation reflects the agency’s continued commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks and eliminating the financial infrastructure that sustains them. The Bureau emphasised that such decisive actions form a key part of its mission to curb the spread of narcotics and protect public health, in alignment with the national vision of achieving a “Nasha Mukt Bharat by 2047.”

The agency added that it remains actively engaged in cracking down on both interstate and international syndicates, with a particular focus on disrupting trafficking routes, identifying supply chains and tracking the monetary flow behind the illegal trade.

Authorities have urged citizens to contribute to the nationwide fight against drugs by sharing information on suspicious activities. Tip-offs can be reported anonymously through MANAS, the National Narcotics Helpline, at the toll-free number 1933, with the NCB assuring strict confidentiality for all informants.

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