Surat Police Bust Alleged Inter-State MD Network, Woman and Associate Held With Drugs Worth ₹29 Lakh

Surat Crime Branch and Surat Rural Special Operations Group (SOG) have jointly arrested a woman and her associate after allegedly seizing 977.61 grams of mephedrone, or MD, worth around ₹29.32 lakh from their car on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway near Palsana in Surat district.

The two accused, both from the Mumbai area, were allegedly transporting the contraband towards Mumbai when their vehicle was intercepted following a specific tip-off.

Joint Team Intercepts Ertiga on Delhi-Mumbai Expressway

According to police, Surat Crime Branch received information that a woman was allegedly transporting a large quantity of MD from Ahmedabad towards Mumbai in a silver-coloured Ertiga.

A joint team of the Crime Branch and Surat Rural SOG set up surveillance on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway near Tolnaka in Palsana taluka. The vehicle was intercepted at night, following which the woman and a man travelling with her were detained.

During a search of the car, police allegedly recovered 977.61 grams of mephedrone.

Police also seized ₹4,670 in cash and two mobile phones valued at around ₹50,000. The total value of the contraband and other seized items was put at approximately ₹29.87 lakh.

Two Mumbai Residents Arrested

The arrested accused have been identified as:

• Mansi Abdul Syed, 41, originally associated with Pune and currently residing in Kalina, Santacruz East, Mumbai.
• Sohail Suleman Sheikh, 20, a resident of Kalina, Santacruz East, Mumbai.

Police have registered a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at Palsana police station.

Drugs Allegedly Received Near Vadodara Railway Station

During questioning, police said Mansi allegedly told investigators that an unidentified woman had handed over the consignment near Vadodara Railway Station.

The MD was allegedly meant to be delivered to different drug peddlers in Mumbai.

Police are now trying to identify the woman who allegedly supplied the drugs and trace the intended recipients of the consignment.

Alleged Modus Operandi Included Hiding Drugs in Children's Diapers

Investigators have also alleged that Mansi used unconventional methods to avoid detection while transporting narcotics.

Police said the probe had revealed allegations that she concealed MD in the diapers of small children to prevent suspicion during checks by law-enforcement agencies.

Investigators are also examining allegations that she had supplied drugs at high-profile parties over the past two years.

Accused Had Earlier NDPS Case, Police Say

Police said Mansi had been booked under the NDPS Act in Indore in 2021 after allegedly being caught with 100 grams of narcotics and was sentenced to four years' imprisonment in that case.

According to police, she had also claimed to have worked in different professions, including as a stage show artist, and to have travelled to several countries.

The investigation is continuing to establish the alleged interstate supply chain and identify others who may have been involved in supplying or receiving the seized consignment.