Mumbai: In a major breakthrough, Mumbai Police’s Anti-Narcotics Cell arrested a Nigerian national in Khar and seized cocaine worth crores along with a large quantity of MDMA tablets during a raid linked to the NESCO drugs party case. The case pertains to the drug case linked to the deaths of two youths at a concert in the NESCO Centre.

The arrest comes amid an ongoing crackdown on a suspected drug supply network operating around high-profile music events in Mumbai. Yesterday, the police also arrested the main accused from Poladpur in Raigad district while he was allegedly attempting to flee towards Goa. According to officials, the accused is suspected of distributing Ecstasy (MDMA) at the concert held on April 11, where two attendees died due to suspected drug overdose. He was intercepted and later handed over to the Vanrai Police for further investigation.

Meanwhile, the others who were arrested in the case were presented before the Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court in Borivali on April 18. The court remanded three accused, Anand Patel, Vineet Gerelani, and Ayush Sahitya, to police custody till April 20, while the other accused were sent to judicial custody. The court granted 14 days’ judicial custody to student Raunak Khandelwal, event organiser Akash Samal, NESCO staff members Sunny Jain and Balkrishnan Kurup, and student Pratik Pandey.

The case began after Shreya Rai (24) and Bismaad Bhasin (28) died of an MDMA overdose. Another attendee, Seetal Salvi (25) remains under observation at Bombay Hospital.

In the investigation, the police noted that the suspects were regular attendees at NESCO Centre events, suggesting a larger network operating at such gatherings. While the concert was permitted only until 10pm, it reportedly continued until 12.30am. Alcohol was also allegedly served to individuals under the age of 25, including the deceased Rai, which is illegal. The victims are suspected to have consumed a lethal combination of both drugs and alcohol.

A fire erupted at a shop in Crawford Market area of Mumbai, prompting a swift response from the Mumbai Fire Brigade. Officials confirmed that no casualties have been reported so far. Cooling operations are currently underway to prevent the fire from reigniting.

The incident comes just a day after a similar fire was reported near DB Marg, opposite Reliance Mall in Mumbai Central. The Level I fire broke out late at night and was confined to shops and rooms within a chawl structure.

Multiple agencies, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, fire brigade, police, BEST staff, and ward officials, were deployed at the Mumbai Central site. The fire, suspected to have been triggered by an electrical short circuit, spread due to closely packed shops.

While no injuries were reported in either incident, officials confirmed significant damage to property. The affected building had a vacant residential section and was already in a fragile condition, raising concerns over safety in densely populated commercial zones.

More details are awaited.

Mumbai: A Level-I fire incident has been reported near D B Marg, Opp Reliance Mall, Mumbai Central on Sunday.

The fire was confined to various shops and rooms in a chawl with no injuries reported.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)’s Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB), Police, Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) staff, and BMC’s Ward staff were mobilised to the scene.

Speaking on the incident, Congress MLA Amin Patel said the blaze is suspected to have been caused by an electrical short circuit.

“A fire broke out around 10:30-10:45 pm. Initially, it seemed to be a small fire caused by an electrical short circuit. However, there are many small shops and people in the area. The residential portion upstairs was vacant, and the building was already in a somewhat dangerous condition. Significant damage has occurred, although fortunately, there have been no casualties,” he said, talking to media.

On the firefighting efforts, Patel added that the situation is largely under control, but operations are still ongoing.

“The fire brigade is working to extinguish the fire, which is now under control but may take another two hours to fully put out. Cooling operations will continue until tomorrow. Due to safety concerns, some sections on the left side of the building are dangerously unstable and will need to be demolished. MHADA will be called tomorrow morning to handle the demolition.