Mumbai: The Customs department has arrested four persons for allegedly smuggling MDMA drugs via foreign post. One of the accused also told agency officials that he was involved in importation of various drugs such as MDMA, LSD & Marijuana from foreign countries for distribution within India.

Those arrested have been identified as Sion resident A. Muthukrishnan, Sion Koliwada resident K.C. Pasi, Pantnagar resident M.L. Chauhan and Raigad resident A.R. Ojale.

According to the Customs sources, on 06.03.2025, addressed to a Pantnagar resident Naveen Bhosle and imported through Foreign Post Office (FPO), Ballard Estate, Mumbai, was intercepted and examined by Customs officials. The examination led to the recovery of MDMA, weighing 159 grams, from the said parcel.

Subsequent to the seizure, the Customs officials began further investigation. In a controlled delivery operation, on 19.03.2025, Naveen Bhosle, accompanied by his associate K.C. Pasi, received the parcel at the Sub Post Office, Ghatkopar.

The Customs officers apprehended both individuals immediately and upon inquiry, it was revealed that the person who received the parcel was Pasi and the second individual was M.L. Chauhan. It was further disclosed that Naveen Bhosle was a fake name used by Chauhan.

Pasi told Customs officials that they had received the parcel on behalf of Muthukrishnan. Muthukrishnan was then nabbed by the Customs team. Upon enquiry Muthukrishnan admitted that this parcel was ordered by him on request of one of their mutual friend A.R. Ojale.

Subsequently, SPIB officers conducted a search at the residence of Muthukrishnan and during the search of the premises, plant product purported to be marijuana, having net weight 16 gram, was recovered from his house premises.

Muthukrishnan further confessed that he had devised the name Naveen Bhosle for the purpose of importing the parcel in question and had forged the Aadhaar card of Chauhan for the delivery of the parcel. He also acknowledged his involvement in the importation of various narcotic substances, including MDMA, LSD, and marijuana, in the past from foreign countries for distribution within India, thus establishing his role as the importer and transporter of the contraband as part of a larger conspiracy.

"Pasi confessed that he had the knowledge of the contents of the parcel and he received the parcel on behalf of Muthukrishnan. For receiving the parcel, he would get 05 pills from that parcel. He also admitted that he had previously received three parcels which contained drugs like MDMA and LSD on behalf of Muthukrishnan. Furthermore, he confessed that he regularly supplies drugs to different persons through online courier," said a Customs source.

During house search of Ojale, plant product purported to be Marijuana (Weeds) having gross weight 46 grams and tablets purported to be MDMA (Ecstasy), gross weight 9.52 Grams were recovered, agency sources said.

"Ojale confessed that he requested 80 pills from Muthukrishnan for selling these drugs to local consumers through a delivery app. As per his app history he delivered 26 parcels through to the app including Pills (MDMA), LSD Blots and Weed," said the agency source.