MUMBAI, Sept. 7 -- The

Mira Bhayandar -Vasai Virar (MBVV) police crime branch has busted an illicit drug, Mephedrone (MD), factory in Hyderabad, and seized the synthetic stimulant and raw material worth hundreds of crores, people aware of the development said on Saturday, adding that 12 people have been arrested in connection with the matter, so far.

An official said the 12 people arrested include a computer science graduate who owned the factory - Srinivas Vijay Murthy Voleti (34) - and his helper Tanaji Pandharinath Patwari. They added that Voleti manufactured MD and distributed it in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

The official added that the other 10 people were arrested before the raids and had led them to the main accused.

MBVV ...