Thane: Thane Crime Branch Unit-1 made the third arrest in the ongoing drug case, taking into custody Nikita Joshi (26), the daughter of prime accused Mohanlal Joshi, a pharmacist caught in July with 1.2 kg of mephedrone (MD) powder worth Rs 1.7 crore.Joshi, a resident of Kudus village in Palghar’s Wada taluka, was earlier arrested after his car was intercepted near Mumbra bypass flyover on July 18, when the narcotics were recovered. A case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act was registered at Mumbra police station.A second link in the racket was found in September, and the sleuths arrested Atif Gore. Senior officials said the seizure is part of a wider narcotics network operating across the region. “Investigations revealed that Nikita Joshi was actively assisting her father in drug operations,” an officer said.Police added that the probe uncovered links to a larger organised crime syndicate, with several members using multiple aliases to conceal their identities. The probe is underway to identify other associates and trace the source and distribution routes of the contraband.Officials said further arrests are expected as the investigation continues, aiming to dismantle the network.
