India, May 1 -- The Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of the Thane police has dismantled a mephedrone (MD)-making unit being run in Uttar Pradesh and arrested three accused, including a postgraduate in chemistry who was wanted by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). The police have seized 1.14 kg of the synthetic stimulant, valued at Rs.2.30 crore in the grey market.

The investigation revealed that the drugs manufactured in the clandestine laboratory were being trafficked into Maharashtra for distribution.

The crackdown happened after Thane police commissioner Ashutosh Dumbre instructed the ANC to focus on action against drug traffickers operating from outside the state. The first breakthrough came on April 17, 2025, when police const...