The Mumbai crime branch has made a major breakthrough in a high-profile drug smuggling case by apprehending Ali Asgar Shirazi, a prime suspect, at Mumbai airport. Shirazi, who was attempting to flee to Dubai, was unaware that a look-out circular (LOC) had been issued against him in March by the crime branch. The LOC was issued following the arrest of five individuals connected to the case, during which Shirazi’s name had surfaced.
The case revolves around the smuggling of a substantial quantity of Ketamine and Viagra, valued at ₹8 crore, to Australia and the United Kingdom using a courier service. Shirazi, hailing from Andheri, played a key role in the operation and maintained contact with Kailash Rajput, a major drug supplier believed to be located in the United Kingdom.
The Anti Extortion Cell (AEC) had initiated a manhunt for Shirazi in March, conducting searches in various locations, including Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi, as he constantly changed his whereabouts. However, upon his arrival at the airport on Monday night, the immigration officers promptly alerted the crime branch due to the existing LOC against him, resulting in his arrest.
In a previous raid conducted in March, the AEC had seized 15 kilograms of Ketamine and 23,000 Viagra tablets, with an estimated value of ₹8 crore, from a courier office in Andheri East. The contraband was being smuggled to Australia and the UK through the courier service. Prior to Shirazi’s arrest, seven individuals had already been apprehended in connection with the case.
Cracking the Smuggling Ring: Mumbai Crime Branch’s Breakthrough Arrest Unveils Extensive Drug Trade Network
During the investigation, it was revealed that the accused procured Ketamine from Gujarat. The operators of the courier service, Vijay Rane and Hasim Shaikh, were arrested, along with Vikas Gupta, a driver, and Nitesh Yadav, an employee of the courier service. Rane and Shaikh were responsible for packaging the drugs, which were then delivered to clearing agents at the airport cargo hub by Yadav and Gupta.
Further interrogations led to the arrest of Abhay Jadaye, Babasaheb Kakade, and Shitesh Pawar, who worked for an authorized clearing agent. They received additional commissions from Yadav and Gupta to ensure smooth customs clearance for the consignments, including those bound for Australia and the UK. Joint Commissioner Lakhmi Gautam of the crime branch revealed that the arrested individuals had been involved in smuggling a minimum of 10 kilograms of Ketamine each month to Australia and the UK.
Ali Asgar Shirazi, the main accused, has been remanded to police custody until June 1 after being presented in court. This breakthrough arrest is expected to significantly aid the ongoing investigation into the multi-crore drug smuggling case, providing insights into the extensive network involved in the illegal trade of Ketamine and Viagra to international destinations. The authorities are determined to dismantle the entire operation and bring all the culprits to justice.
The recent arrest of Ali Asgar Shirazi, the prime suspect in a multi-crore drug smuggling operation, marks a significant breakthrough for the Mumbai crime branch. Shirazi’s apprehension at Mumbai airport while attempting to escape to Dubai has shed light on the intricate network involved in the illegal trade of Ketamine and Viagra to international destinations, specifically Australia and the United Kingdom.
Major Arrest in Multi-Crore Drug Smuggling Operation: Unraveling a Global Network
The Mumbai crime branch had been diligently pursuing Shirazi since March when a look-out circular (LOC) was issued against him following the arrest of five individuals connected to the drug smuggling case. Despite Shirazi’s efforts to evade capture by frequently changing his whereabouts, the Anti Extortion Cell (AEC) continued its relentless manhunt, conducting searches in various locations, including Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi.
The breakthrough occurred when Shirazi unknowingly walked into the hands of law enforcement at the airport on Monday night. Immigration officers promptly alerted the crime branch about the LOC against him, leading to his arrest. The authorities believe that Shirazi’s apprehension will provide valuable information and insights into the extensive drug smuggling network operating in the region.
The drug smuggling operation involved the trafficking of a significant amount of Ketamine and Viagra, estimated to be worth ₹8 crore. Prior to Shirazi’s arrest, the AEC had conducted a raid in March at a courier office located in Andheri East, where they seized 15 kilograms of Ketamine and 23,000 Viagra tablets. The contraband, carefully packaged in small packets by Vijay Rane and Hasim Shaikh, operators of the courier service named ‘Shree Swami Samarth Advertisement,’ was intended for transportation to Australia and the UK.
