Mumbai: Repeat offender caught peddling MD concealed in cigarette packs

The accused with the Borivli police

The Borivli police have arrested a habitual offender for allegedly smuggling drugs concealed inside cigarette packets. A total of 54 grams of MD (mephedrone), valued at approximately Rs 5.5 lakh, was recovered from his possession.

The accused has been identified as Gunjan Jadavji Chheda, 37, a resident of Devidas Lane, Borivli West. Chheda was previously arrested by the Kandivli anti-narcotics cell (ANC) in 2022 for smuggling drugs and had spent a month in jail before being released.

Despite the earlier arrest, Chheda allegedly resumed his illegal activities. The Borivli anti-terrorism cell (ATC) recently received a tip-off indicating that he had become active again and was selling drugs in and around Devidas Lane. To evade detection by law enforcement, he would reportedly hide packets of Mephedrone inside cigarette boxes before handing them to buyers.

Under the guidance of senior officials - DCP Anand Bhoite (Zone XI), Senior Inspector Maloji Shinde, Police Inspector Pradeep Kale, and Assistant Police Inspector Pramod Nimbalkar - the police laid a trap and arrested the accused a few days ago near Devidas Lane. "During the search, we found cigarette packets in his pocket. Upon opening them, we were shocked to discover small packets of MD concealed inside," an officer said.

The police have initiated further investigation and have taken preventive action against the accused. Authorities say Chheda had gone off the radar after his earlier release from jail, but intel from trusted sources confirmed that he had resumed drug trafficking.