Recently, there has been a rise in housebreaking cases in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Thane, which has resulted in a coordinated police initiative that led to the capture of the infamous Chaddi-Baniya gang. Significantly, law enforcement captured two siblings by employing an ingenious strategy that involved a water truck to ensnare them.

This group had created anxiety in the neighborhood, as their actions were frequently hard to track. Investigations showed that the gang leased a house and utilised a path through a different city during their heists, making detection more difficult.

A significant development occurred when authorities discovered that the gang leader’s brother was imprisoned at Yerwada jail, leading to additional investigations into the gang’s familial ties. This directed them to a chawl in Sabe village, where the gang was believed to live.

Law enforcement formulated a strategy to collect additional information by delivering water from a tanker, earning the confidence of the community. Ultimately, a group of 25-30 officers encircled the chawl and apprehended the suspects, recognized as Shahaji Pawar and Ankush Pawar, hailing from Kalamb in the Dharashiv district.

In the meantime, the Pimpri Chinchwad Police Crime Branch celebrated another major success by capturing members of a gang that had robbed an industrialist in the Nigdi Authority region, recovering valuables valued at Rs 6.15 lakh following a 11,200-kilometre pursuit in Rajasthan.

Similar Incident

A 37-year-old history-sheeter, Mohammad, was arrested for a shooting incident in Dharavi, Mumbai, where Sarvar Begum Shaikh, 32, was injured while shopping. The incident occurred on July 27 at 90 Feet Road. Sarvar was shot in the hand, and after surgery at Sion Hospital, her condition is stable.

Initially unaware of the injury, she realised something was wrong when blood started to flow. Police are investigating whether she was a random victim or caught in crossfire, reviewing CCTV footage, and examining Mohammad’s potential link to other crimes. A case was registered under relevant laws.

Mumbai: On July 30, the Sakinaka police raided a drug godown in Powai seizing 21.903kg of Mephedrone (MD) and chemicals worth Rs44 crore at Shop No. 9, Prathmesh Galaxy, Hiranandani.

The operation followed the dismantling of an interstate drug racket and a factory shutdown in Mysuru, Karnataka. In total, the police have seized 214 kg of MD, chemicals, and equipment valued at Rs434 crore, including an earlier haul of Rs390 crore.

Investigating Officer Dayanand Walave said: “In this case, we have already arrested accused. During further interrogation, one of them revealed that they were operating a godown in Powai. Subsequently, we raided the location. The godown was situated on the ground floor of a residential building. The ground floor of the building has several shops, and the upper floors have residential flats. The accused had told neighbouring shopkeepers building members that they were running a colour distribution business. Under that guise, they were storing drugs, chemicals, and equipment.”

The case began on April 24, 2025, with the arrest of Sadiq Shaikh, 27, in Sakinaka, caught with 52 gram of MD. Further investigation led to seven more arrests, including four from Mumbai, Gujarat, and Mysuru, and another four from the Mysuru factory. On July 25, Salim Shaikh alias Slim Langda, 45, revealed the factory’s location, leading to a raid on July 26 at a facility near Belavatha, Mysuru. An additional 4.53kg of MD worth Rs8 crore was seized from Kaman village, Vasai.

Three of the eight arrested have prior involvement in similar cases, with one facing 16 charges under the NDPS Act and for assault. The police, under Deputy Commissioner of Police Datta Nalawade, suspect more individuals are involved and anticipate further breakthroughs.

Mumbai: The investigation into the massive Rs 390 crore mephedrone (MD) haul by Mumbai police resulted in the capture of an additional shipment of the illegal substance valued at Rs 44 crore from Powai on Thursday, an official reported.

In the X post from the official Mumbai Police page, it was mentioned that the Sakinaka police in a significant operation, the Anti-Narcotics Cell has confiscated 21.903 kg of M.D. valued at ₹43.80 crore, as well as chemicals utilized for its production, from a site situated in the Hiranandani area of Powai.

The team performed an adept inquiry, stormed the site, and seized 21.903 kg of M.D. along with manufacturing supplies, all hidden behind a paint storage warehouse. The overall worth of the confiscation is ₹43,97,04,000. Authorities confiscated over 187 kg of mephedrone valued at Rs 382 crore after a raid in Mysuru, located in neighbouring Karnataka, last week.

The investigation into the matter started in April this year when a man was apprehended with 52 gm of mephedrone in Sakinaka in western Mumbai. A detained suspect revealed that 22 kilograms of mephedrone worth Rs 44 crore and Rs 16 lakh in chemicals for its production were seized in Powai, officials reported.

The investigation has resulted in the identification of three additional individuals, from whom 4.5 kg of mephedrone, valued at Rs 8 crore, was seized. So far, eight individuals have been taken into custody in the case.

The overall seizure in this case has reached over 210 kg of mephedrone valued at nearly Rs 435 crore, according to the official. An additional investigation into the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act case is ongoing to identify the trafficking network and the supply chain of materials utilized to produce mephedrone