Palghar: In a major crackdown on illegal drug activity, Tulinj Police have busted a clandestine drug manufacturing unit operating from a residential apartment in Pragati Nagar, Nalasopara East. The raid led to the arrest of a 26-year-old Nigerian woman, Rita Fati Kurebewei, and the seizure of mephedrone (MD) and related raw materials valued at ₹5,60,40,150.
About The Case
Acting on a tip-off, the police raided a flat in Anshit Plaza on Friday evening. During the operation, officers discovered that the accused had been using the premises as a drug production unit.
“Upon entering the flat, we found it was fully equipped for the manufacturing of MD. We seized large quantities of the finished product along with raw materials and equipment,” said a senior police official. Kurebewei was arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Police have also named her alleged accomplice, Henryuchenna Uwakwe, who remains at large. Efforts to track him are ongoing.
.jpg)
The discovery has raised concerns about the scale of drug production in the area and highlighted Nalasopara’s emergence as a significant node in the illegal drug trade.
Police further revealed that Kurebewei was residing in India without a valid visa, adding a layer of immigration violation to the case. The presence of a growing number of foreign nationals, particularly from Nigeria, living illegally in the region has drawn public and administrative attention, prompting calls for urgent combing operations to verify the legal status of residents.
This raid is part of a wider campaign by the Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar Police Commissionerate to curb drug-related activities in the region. Previous operations have also resulted in arrests of Nigerian nationals involved in similar offenses.
This case brings to light a growing national issue, the rising use of synthetic drugs like mephedrone, which are becoming increasingly accessible. As drug abuse spreads, especially among the youth, law enforcement agencies are under increasing pressure to crack down on supply chains and take stronger action. The significant drug bust in Nalasopara emphasizes the importance of joint efforts between various agencies to curb drug trafficking and protect the public from its dangerous consequences.
