The Thane Crime Branch has arrested two individuals for allegedly possessing 15.9 kilograms of MD (mephedrone) powder with the intent to sell it in the city. The accused have been identified as Tanvir Ahmad Ansari (23), a resident of Amrut Nagar in Mumbra, and Mahesh Desai (35), a resident of Vithalwadi in Ulhasnagar.

Acting on a tip-off received on August 9, a police team laid a trap at Rajnoli Naka on the Bhiwandi-Kalyan bypass road, near the Om Sai Family Dhaba. A naka bandi (road blockade) was set up to intercept the suspects.

Police first stopped a car driven by Tanvir and, upon inspection, recovered 11.763 kilograms of MD powder. Soon after, another car driven by Mahesh was intercepted, and officials recovered 4.161 kilograms of MD powder from his vehicle, along with ₹22,000 in cash and ₹8,140 in other items, totaling approximately ₹32.2 lakh.

In total, authorities seized 15.924 kilograms of MD powder worth ₹31.84 crore, two cars valued at ₹8 lakh, and three mobile phones. Both accused were brought to the police station for questioning, and an FIR was registered against them under relevant sections of the NDPS Act at Kongaon Police Station on August 10.

During preliminary interrogation, Tanvir revealed he is already named in three FIRs—including NDPS-related charges—filed at Mumbra, Daighar, and Byculla police stations. Mahesh, meanwhile, confessed to four prior offences, including cases under the NDPS and MCOCA.

DCP Amarsingh Jadhav Thane Crime Branch stated, “We are investigating the source of the contraband, the intended recipients, and whether more individuals are involved in the racket.”