In a significant development targeting the Dawood Ibrahim network, Mumbai Crime Branch has uncovered a drug racket worth Rs 256 crore and apprehended a close associate of fugitive trafficker Salim Dola, who was recently extradited from Dubai.
ARREST OF ASSOCIATE LINKED TO DUBAI-BASED KINGPIN
Mohammed Salim Suhail Sheikh was apprehended by Crime Branch’s Unit 7 upon his deportation from the United Arab Emirates. Investigators identified Sheikh as a trusted ally of notorious trafficker Salim Dola, who allegedly ran a drug operation in India from Dubai.
Officials revealed that Sheikh had direct ties to a large-scale mephedrone (MD) production facility discovered earlier this year in Maharashtra’s Sangli district.
SERIES OF ARRESTS AND INITIAL LEAD
The case originated on February 16, 2024, when Unit 7 officers received intelligence about a woman distributing drugs in Mumbai’s Kurla area. Prompt action led to the arrest of Parveen Bano Ghulam Sheikh in possession of 641 grams of mephedrone valued at Rs 12.2 lakh, along with Rs 12 lakh in cash.
During interrogation, Parveen confessed to sourcing drugs through Sajid Mohammed Asif Sheikh, known as Dabs, who had connections with Salim Sheikh and Dola in Dubai. Sajid was subsequently arrested in Mira Road, where authorities seized 3 kilograms of mephedrone worth Rs 6 crore and Rs 3.68 lakh in cash from his residence.
DISCOVERY OF SANGLI FACTORY
The trail led investigators to Sangli, where they uncovered an underground mephedrone manufacturing unit. On March 25, 2024, Crime Branch teams raided the facility and confiscated 122.5 kilograms of mephedrone valued at Rs 245 crore.
Apart from the drugs, authorities seized raw materials, equipment, and vehicles utilized in the illicit operation. Six individuals were apprehended at the location, exposing a distribution network spanning from rural Maharashtra to Dubai.
IMPORT OF CHEMICALS FROM UAE
Authorities suspect that the syndicate sourced precursor chemicals from a supplier in the United Arab Emirates. Several suspects from Surat and Sangli have also been linked to the same network, allegedly importing chemicals into India to manufacture mephedrone locally.
LARGE-SCALE SEIZURE AND 15 ARRESTS TO DATE
To date, 15 individuals, including a woman, have been arrested in connection with the case. The total seizure amounts to Rs 256.49 crore, including:
– Mephedrone: 126 kg (valued at over Rs 252 crore)
– Cash: Rs 4.19 crore
– Gold jewelry: Rs 1.5 lakh
– Vehicles: Rs 11.4 lakh
– Illegally acquired property: Rs 55.5 lakh
DEPORTATION OF SHEIKH, REMANDED UNTIL OCTOBER 30
Following a Red Corner Notice, Mohammed Salim Sheikh was detained in the UAE and extradited to India after due legal procedures. The Mumbai Crime Branch formally arrested him on October 22 and presented him before a local court, which remanded him in police custody until October 30.
Investigators believe Sheikh played a pivotal role in coordinating the supply chain between Dubai-based financiers and distributors in Maharashtra and Gujarat.