The Anti-Narcotics Cell of the Mumbai Crime Branch has arrested three persons after a raid on a residential flat in Agripada led to the recovery of mephedrone and raw materials valued at more than ₹50 crore, along with a country-made pistol and 19 live cartridges.According to the police, the raid was carried out on May 26 at Yasmeen Tower, a high-rise building in Agripada, South Mumbai. Acting on inputs received by the Kandivli unit of the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC), the police laid a trap and searched flat number 1004 on the 10th floor. Inside the flat, they found a setup for manufacturing mephedrone (MD).The recovery included 8.305 kg of liquid MD and related materials, valued at approximately ₹29.08 crore, and 6.188 kg of MD in powder form, valued at approximately ₹21.65 crore. The total quantity of seized drugs and materials was 14.493 kg. The police also recovered equipment and chemicals used in the manufacturing process, along with a country-made pistol and 19 live cartridges.According to the police, the manufacturing process involved boiling chemicals on a gas stove followed by a drying step, which produced an odour. To avoid detection, the accused kept air conditioners running throughout the day and used incense sticks and fragrance sprays to suppress the smell. The accused told the police that someone had taught them how to make the drug through video conference.The arrested persons have been identified as Shoeb Mansuri (33), Sufyan Mansuri (29), and Mamuni Sarkar (23). The police said Shoeb has previous criminal cases of robbery, snatching, and assault registered against him. The preliminary investigation indicated that the group was looking for a farmhouse to increase production. The woman, Mamuni Sarkar, is the girlfriend of Shoeb and is stated to be a national of Bangladesh. The three accused have been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Arms Act, and remanded in custody until June 3. Published - May 28, 2026 12:48 pm IST