In a significant pre-New Year crackdown, the Mumbai Police have dismantled a major heroin supply network operating in the city, leading to the arrest of nine individuals and the seizure of narcotics valued at a staggering Rs 36 crores in the international market. The police are now intensively searching for the alleged mastermind of the operation.
The Chain of Arrests Begins
The operation commenced on December 16, when the Pydhonie police apprehended two persons from the Masjid Bunder area. The duo was found in possession of 326.22 grams of heroin, estimated to be worth approximately Rs 1.30 crores, which they intended to transport and sell. Following their arrest, an FIR was registered and the investigation into their supply chain began immediately.
During interrogation, the arrested individuals revealed that they had sourced the contraband from a woman identified as Rubina Khan (30). Acting on this lead, the police traced and arrested Rubina Khan. Her questioning then pointed the finger at Shabnam Shaikh as her supplier. Using technical surveillance, the police team located Shabnam Shaikh in Ajmer, Rajasthan, and placed her under arrest.
Unraveling the Network
The probe further revealed that a 19-year-old girl, Muskan Shaikh, had acted as the courier, physically handing over the heroin to Rubina Khan. Muskan was subsequently arrested from the premises of Masjid Bunder. Her interrogation proved crucial, as she named Meherban Ali as the primary supplier who provided her with narcotics to distribute in South Mumbai.
Muskan informed the police that Ali was scheduled to make a drug delivery on December 24. The police laid a trap at the designated spot. However, the person who arrived was not Ali but Abdul Qadir Shaikh, who confessed to acting on Ali's instructions. The police recovered heroin worth Rs 1.38 crores from Abdul's possession.
Major Haul from Oshiwara Raid
Abdul Qadir Shaikh then led the police to an address in Oshiwara, believed to be linked to Meherban Ali. When the police raided the location, Ali was not present. However, they found three other individuals inside the room, actively engaged in packaging heroin into small packets for distribution across Mumbai.
The raid resulted in the seizure of a massive quantity of heroin, valued at around Rs 33 crores in the international market. This, combined with the earlier recoveries, brought the total haul to over 8 kilograms of heroin worth approximately Rs 36 crores.
A senior police officer stated, "A total of six men and three women have been arrested in this case. In addition to the narcotics, we have also seized Rs 8.26 lakhs in cash, a motor car, and 12 mobile phones from the accused."
The police have confirmed that the prime suspect, Meherban Ali, suspected to be the kingpin of this extensive drug supply operation, is currently absconding. A manhunt is underway to locate and apprehend him. The crackdown is seen as a major blow to drug trafficking networks attempting to capitalize on the festive season demand in the city.
