Roorkee taluka in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand has recently garnered attention due to the rampant distribution of drugs, such as heroin, nationwide, with Mumbai being a significant hotspot. A notable quantity of heroin is purportedly being smuggled from this region. In the last two years, the Mumbai Anti Narcotics Cell, notably the Kandivali Unit, has apprehended over seven individuals linked to drug-related activities. In a recent incident, the Kandivali ANC unit apprehended four individuals and seized heroin weighing approximately 300 grams, valued at Rs 1.25 crore, from their possession. The accused, identified as Ajay Saroj (27), Zakir Ahamad (27), Shahrukh Shehzad (35), and Navshad Safdar (40), are residents of Roorkee Taluka. Based on intelligence, the officers set up a trap and apprehended Navshad and Shahrukh from Shankar Mandir Lane in Kandivali on 20 April, seizing drugs. Following leads from them, they conducted a raid at a residence in Gopchar Pada, Virar, where they arrested Ajay and Zakir, confiscating approximately 300 grams of heroin worth about Rs 1.25 crore in total. Further investigation uncovered that all the accused hail from Roorkee taluka in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand and have been engaged in this illegal activity for years, although this marks their initial arrest in Mumbai. Reports indicate the existence of a village named Shukrunda in Roorkee Taluka, from where three of the arrested individuals originate. Prior to this incident, Mumbai Police, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies from other states, have apprehended individuals in drug-related cases, with a notable proportion originating from Roorkee taluka and specific locales within it, including Shukrunda Village. The modus operandi of these accused entails one of their associates renting a house in the city where they temporarily reside. Upon selling the drugs, they retreat, and another group assumes control of the rented property. Numerous individuals either arrive with drugs or procure them from Ratlam and Rajasthan upon reaching the area. Those transporting drugs to Mumbai operate on a commission basis, delivering the goods before returning via bus travel. Recently, the Shahu Nagar police apprehended an individual with heroin drugs, who incidentally turned out to be the cousin brother of the arrested accused Navshad, the officer added. The accused have been booked and arrested under various sections of the Narcotics Act, presented before the court, and subsequently remanded to police custody, the officer concluded.
25 April,2024 09:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanThe Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Mumbai busted an international drug conspiracy, seizing 2.170 kilograms of MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy) and arrested an African national. The drugs were worth approximately Rs 2 crore. The operation, which commenced in October 2023, was carried out following extensive technical and financial examinations by the NCB. On October 19, 2023, officials acted on intelligence and intercepted a parcel from the Netherlands at the Foreign Post Office in Mumbai. Upon closer inspection, what looked to be benign objects such as toys and crayons revealed a cleverly concealed stockpile of MDMA tablets. The shipment contained 4,970 MDMA tablets totalling 2.170 kilograms. "In pursuance of intensive technical collaboration with the financial investigation, NCB-Mumbai has successfully cracked an international syndicate which was involved in international drug trafficking. Based on technical intelligence, information was gathered wherein a parcel containing a huge quantity of high-value drugs was being sourced from the Netherlands and transported into Mumbai," NCB said in its statement. It added, "An active analysis led to the identification and detection of the said parcel on 19.10.2023 at Foreign Post Office, Mumbai. When the parcel was unboxed, the contents had non-suspecting items such as toys, crayons, pens, etc. However, on closer examination, it was observed that the packaging cardboard box was abnormal. When one side was cut open, layers of multi-coloured MDMA / ecstasy tablets were found concealed between the layers of flap. Accordingly, when other flaps of the package box were cut open, furthermore MDMA tablets were recovered. A total of 4970 MDMA/Ecstasy tablets weighing 2.170 kgs were seized." The inquiry revealed a sophisticated worldwide drug trafficking network, forcing officials to look further into the syndicate's operations. Despite efforts to avoid detection, a thorough investigation revealed a money trail that led to the identity of an African national living in Navi Mumbai. The suspect, known as B.O. Afo, was captured at his home, where additional incriminating evidence was discovered. Furthermore, other bank accounts, both domestic and international, associated with the suspect have been identified for inquiry. BO Afo, the accused arrested/ Sourced Photo Further investigation found that Afo has been in India since 2018, despite the expiration of his visa. This discovery highlights the syndicate's worldwide nature and operations in India. The recovered medicines, intended for distribution in many cities including Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Goa, and Hyderabad, illustrate the widespread reach of the syndicate. Since the quantity of the drugs was huge and had international linkage, an extensive investigation was initiated. The syndicate had carefully maintained the technical evasive manoeuvre to avoid any identification. However, in the course of an in-depth investigation, credible technical analysis led to the identification of a financial trail. The information was further developed which led to the identification of an African national based in the Navi Mumbai area, it further read. "Prolonged surveillance and discreet analysis inferred the convincing data after which the African national named B.O.Afo was intercepted at his house. Incriminating evidence along with multiple bank details of international and domestic banks have been collected which are presently subject to further investigation. It has been noted that BO Afo came to India in 2018 and has been staying since then even after the expiry of the Visa. His other documents are also being verified. The seized drug would have been distributed to multiple cities like Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Goa, Hyderabad, etc. A further in-depth investigation is underway to identify the other key associates of the larger syndicate," the statement further read. Amit Ghawate, Additional Director of NCB Mumbai, emphasised the thorough scope of the ongoing investigation, which aims to identify all major syndicate associates.
24 April,2024 10:16 PM IST | Mumbai | Faisal TandelA dispute over providing a home for rehabilitation resulted in the death of one brother at the hands of another in the Jogeshwari area of Mumbai. The deceased, identified as Subodh Sawant, died in this altercation. Meghwadi Police arrested Deepak Sawant in connection with the case. Subodh resided in a chawl in Jogeshwari East with his family, the chawl was slated for redevelopment. The home, registered under his mother's name, was to be replaced with a new one as part of the redevelopment; however, Subodh was opposed to the idea. This had caused frequent arguments with his family. On Tuesday, an argument between Deepak and Subodh escalated, resulting in Deepak striking Subodh on the head with a hard object. Subodh sustained severe injuries and was rushed to the hospital, but unfortunately, he succumbed to his wounds. Upon receiving the information, Meghwadi police swiftly arrived at the scene, registering a case and apprehending Deepak.
24 April,2024 08:17 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanThe Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted a gold smuggling syndicate in Mumbai and seized the precious metal, cash and other valuables of Rs 10.48 crore, a DRI official said on Wednesday, reported news agency PTI Four persons, including two African nationals, were arrested following a search operation at a gold melting facility in south Mumbai on Monday, he said. The DRI had received an input that gold smuggled from Africa through the Mumbai international airport was being processed at a melting facility in Zaveri Bazar here to remove the foreign markings and it was then being diverted to the local market, the official said in a statement, reported PTI. During the search at the melting facility, the officials seized 9.31 kg of gold in various forms, including of foreign-origin, and 16.66 kg of silver. They nabbed the unit operator and a recruiter, who was responsible for arranging carriers, collecting the smuggled gold from African nationals for melting and further processing, the statement said, reported PTI. The recruiter was a key member of the gold smuggling syndicate. He used to collect gold from carriers who were African nationals, get it processed and hand it over to a buyer nearby, it said. After the interrogation of the accused persons, a search was conducted at the recruiter's office premises and the DRI recovered USD 190000 in cash which had been allegedly handed over to him by a buyer as advance payment for the smuggled gold, the statement said. Another team was sent to search the buyer's office premises but he fled before the DRI sleuths reached there, he said. During the search, 351 grams of cut pieces of foreign-origin gold bars, 1,818 grams of silver and Rs 1.92 crore in cash were recovered from there, the statement said. The DRI personnel came to know that the African nationals from whom the recruiter had collected the gold were staying in nearby hotels, reported PTI. Accordingly, a raid was conducted at the hotel and two persons who allegedly smuggled the gold and handed it over to the recruiter were intercepted, the DRI said, reported PTI. All the four accused admitted to their involvement in the smuggling of gold into India following which they were arrested under provisions of the Customs Act, it said. (With inputs from PTI)
24 April,2024 12:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Malwani Police in Mumbai have booked Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Nitesh Rane for his alleged hate speeches in Malwani during the 'Jan Aakrosh Rally' held on March 3 this year, an official said. The Maharashtra Police informed the Bombay High Court on Tuesday that criminal cases have been registered against BJP MLA Nitesh Rane for alleged hate speeches in Malwani, Mankhurd, and Ghatkopar areas of the city. The FIR have also been registered against MLA Geeta Jain for alleged hate speech in Mira-Bhayander from January to March this year. According to police sources, on March 3, a public protest rally took place in Malwani, despite local police withholding permission due to concerns about potential disturbances to law and order. The rally which was attended by Nitesh Rane and hundreds of BJP supporters and various Hindu organisations, proceeded nonetheless. After the rally, Nitesh Rane reportedly delivered a speech at the BMC ground near Malwani Gate number one, during which he allegedly made derogatory remarks about a particular community and specifically targeted religious leaders and social workers of the community. In response, several community organisations tried to lodge complaints against Nitesh Rane with the police. However, no action was taken against him. But, FIR was registered against the rally organiser for conducting the event without permission, as a procedural measure, sources added. Similar incidents had occurred in the Mira-Bhayander area involving sitting MLA Geeta Jain who had allegedly made offensive remarks against a particular religion. In protest against these actions, including Nitesh Rane's remarks, an activist Jameel Merchant and others had filed a petition in the Bombay High Court. During the hearing, the court directed the police to provide details of the actions taken on their complaints. In response, the Maharashtra Police stated that cases of hate speech had been registered against them in various police stations. Earlier, an FIR was registered against the organiser Bhagwan Thakur in Malwani Police Station under Section 188 of the IPC on March 5. Subsequently, Sections 153A, 504, and 506 were added to the same FIR, and Nitesh Rane’s name was included in the FIR on Monday, said an officer from Malwani Police Station.
23 April,2024 10:15 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanA 61-year-old murder accused who had been on the run for 34 years was arrested from Mumbai, the police said on Tuesday, reported the PTI. According to the PTI, based on a tip-off, the police laid a trap and apprehended the accused, Jahangir Sheikh, from the western suburb of Andheri in neighbouring Mumbai on Monday evening, an official said. The accused was involved in a murder that took place in a residential building in Mira Road in December 1990, assistant commissioner of police (Crime) Madan Ballal of the MBVV police said on Tuesday, as per the PTI. Sheikh is allegedly one of the six accused involved in stabbing and killing the victim, Gabrial alias Sudhakar Kristan Amanna (22), during a party, he said, the news agency reported on Tuesday. The police had earlier arrested five accused in the case while Sheikh had remained absconding since, the official said. Two arrested with firearms in Thane Meanwhile, in an another incident, two men have been arrested here with several firearms and ammunition, police said on Tuesday, reported the PTI. According to the PTI, the vigilance has been stepped up in the city in view of the Lok Sabha elections, said deputy commissioner of police (crime) Shivraj Patil. He said that on April 18, Shambu Suresh Mahato (35), a resident of Bihar, was intercepted in Saket Road area and four pistols, two country-made revolvers, a magazine and 18 live cartridges were seized from his possession, as per the news agency. Shambu Suresh Mahato had been reportedly sentenced to imprisonment in a murder case in Rabale area in 2011 and allegedly got into arms trafficking after serving the sentence, the official said, the news agency reported on Tuesday. On Monday, police arrested Shebahadur Navbahadur Kharki, a resident of Chandigarh, in Wagle Estate area here and seized two country-made pistols and four live cartridges from his possession, reported the PTI. Both the suspects were booked under relevant provisions of the Arms Act and IPC, the police said. The police were further probing the purpose for which the firearms were meant, the DCP said. (with PTI inputs)
23 April,2024 07:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTwo men have been arrested in Thane district of Maharashtra with several firearms and ammunition, the Thane Police said on Tuesday, reported the PTI. According to the PTI, deputy commissioner of police (crime) Shivraj Patil said that the vigilance has been stepped up in the city in view of the Lok Sabha elections 2024. Explaining about the seizure of weapons, the DCP said, "On April 18, Shambu Suresh Mahato (35), a resident of Bihar, was intercepted in Saket Road area and four pistols, two country-made revolvers, a magazine and 18 live cartridges were seized from his possession," as per the PTI. Shambu Mahato had been sentenced to imprisonment in a murder case in Rabale area in 2011 and got into arms trafficking after serving the sentence, the official said, the news agency reported on Tuesday. On Monday, police arrested Shebahadur Navbahadur Kharki, a resident of Chandigarh, in Wagle Estate area in Thane district and seized two country-made pistols and four live cartridges from his possession. Both were booked under relevant provisions of the Arms Act and IPC. The Thane Police were probing the purpose for which the firearms were meant, the DCP said. Mumbai Crime Branch recovers weapons used in Salman Khan firing case from Tapi river Meanwhile, in an another incident, the Mumbai Crime Branch that has been probing the Salman Khan firing case, on Tuesday, recovered two pistols, magazines and bullets from the Tapi river in Surat, Gujarat during a search operation to recover weapons that were allegedly used in the firing outside Salman Khan's residence, an official said on Tuesday. The Mumbai Crime Branch has recovered two pistols, three magazines and 13 bullets during the search that began on Monday, the official said. A team of 12 officials, including encounter specialist and senior police inspector Daya Nayak had been investigating the entire case. The search was being conducted with the help of scuba divers, he said. The two arrested accused, Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21), allegedly fired outside Salman Khan's house at the Galaxy Apartment in the Bandra area of Mumbai on April 14 and then fled the spot on a motorbike. Based on the technical surveillance, they were apprehended on April 16 from the premises of a temple at Mata No Madh near Bhuj town in Gujarat by joint teams of the Mumbai and Kutch police. They were subsequently handed over to the Mumbai police for further investigation. (with PTI inputs)
23 April,2024 06:53 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe Maharashtra Police on Tuesday informed the Bombay High Court that they have registered cases against BJP MLAs Nitesh Rane and Geeta Jain after finding that they gave offensive speeches during communal violence in Thane district in January. A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Manjusha Deshpande last week asked the police commissioners concerned to personally verify if the speeches delivered by the two leaders were offensive and provocative. Public Prosecutor Hiten Venegaonkar on Tuesday told the court that preliminary verification shows the speeches made by Rane and Jain amid the communal violence that erupted at Mira Bhayandar (in Thane district) in January this year were offensive. Venegaonkar said Rane is accused of making hate speeches at his rallies in Malvani, Mankhurd and Ghatkopar areas of Mumbai. Jain is accused of giving hate speech at a rally in Mira Bhayandar, he said. The FIRs have been lodged against them by police under Sections 153A (promoting enmity among people on ground of religion), 504 (intentional insult with an intent to provoke) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code, the prosecutor said. He further said that 13 separate FIRs have been lodged against other persons in connection with the communal violence that erupted in Mira Bhayandar between January 22 and 26. A probe is on in all the cases, Venegaonkar said. The bench posted the matter for further hearing on June 19. The court was hearing a bunch of petitions against the alleged inflammatory speeches made by Rane, Jain and Telangana MLA T Raja Singh at Mira Road in Thane district in January this year. The pleas claimed the speeches were made after communal violence in the area and sought that an FIR be registered against the MLAs. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 April,2024 04:49 PM IST | Mumbai | PTIA 40-year-old man from Thane district in Maharashtra has been detained for reportedly practising black magic and claiming to have the ability to fight off "evil spirits." A woman from Kisan Nagar had requested the Thane man's assistance for her daughter, who frequently became ill after being separated from her husband. Despite eight visits to the accused for therapy, her daughter's condition remained unchanged, reported PTI. According to the report, the accused had advised the woman to take her daughter and other family members to a crematorium on the Padgha-Borivili road on April 20 night, where he would perform rituals to rid them of "evil spirits" for a charge of Rs 5,000. The woman after reaching the spot, per the PTI report, found out that six to eight other persons were also present on the spot on the advice of the Thane man who claimed he would help them get rid of "evil spirits". The villagers, however, discovered his activities, they caught him and turned him over to the police. He has been charged under the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil, and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act 2013 in response to the woman's complaint, the news agency report further stated. In a separate incident, a 40-year-old history-sheeter was detained for attempting to murder a woman during a heist in Thane district. According to another PTI report, the accused entered the woman's home in Baneli village, Titwala area, at about 1 pm on Monday with the intent to rob her. When the woman struggled, he stabbed her repeatedly with a knife. Her calls for aid drew the attention of neighbours, who captured the perpetrator and handed him over to the police, the report added. The accused, who has a history of robbery charges lodged against him in numerous police stations throughout the area, has been charged with various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including attempted murder. Meanwhile, in another case from Thane district, the Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested a man for accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000 on behalf of an official from the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA).
23 April,2024 01:45 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentAn executive employed with a multi-national investment banking company became a victim of investment fraud and lost Rs 31 lakh in the process. The Nayanagar police are investigating the case. According to police sources, the man was at his home in Mira Road on January 20, when he received a WhatsApp message from a woman who enticed him with the promise of earning extra part-time income and making profits through investment in share trading. Deceived by the offer, the man agreed to invest. The accused woman sent him two different links via WhatsApp and instructed him to fill in his details. Upon completion of the process, he was added to various WhatsApp groups with numerous investors. The man proceeded to invest approximately R31 lakh through different transactions between January 20 and April 20. When he attempted to withdraw the profits, he was told to invest more money and was cautioned not to withdraw any funds until he reached R50 lakh in earnings. "Growing suspicious, the man began demanding his money back, but the fraudsters stopped responding to his calls and messages. Upon realizing that he had been deceived, he approached Nayanagar police station on April 20, as reported by an officer from the station. We have registered an FIR under various sections of the IPC and IT Act and commenced our investigation," the officer said. Rs 31 lakh Sum lost by victim ‘Growing suspicious, the man began demanding his money back, but the fraudsters stopped responding to his calls and messages. Upon realizing that he had been deceived, he approached Nayanagar police station on April 20, as reported by an officer from the station. We have registered an FIR under various sections of the IPC and IT Act and commenced our investigation’ A police officer, Nayanagar police station
23 April,2024 09:49 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanIn three days, Mumbai Customs authorities confiscated gold worth more than Rs 4.44 crore, leading to the arrest of four individuals. The seizures, which took place between April 19 and April 21, 2024, totalled approximately 6.815 kilograms of gold and diamonds valued at Rs 2.02 crore across 13 cases. According to officials, the gold and diamonds were concealed using a variety of tactics, including concealing the smuggled items in noodle packages. The seizures were part of an ongoing campaign to curb smuggling at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, reported ANI. Reportedly, the officials of Mumbai Customs, in their statement on X (formerly Twitter), said, "During 19-21 April 2024, Airport Commissionerate, Mumbai Customs Zone-III seized over 6.815 Kg Gold valued at Rs. 4.44 cr & Diamonds valued at Rs. 2.02 cr total amounting to Rs. 6.46 cr across 13 cases. Diamonds were found concealed in noodle packets. Four pax were arrested." During 19-21 April, 2024, Airport Commissionerate, Mumbai Customs Zone-III seized over 6.815 Kg Gold valued at Rs. 4.44 Cr & Diamonds valued at Rs. 2.02 Cr total amounting to Rs. 6.46 Cr across 13 cases. Diamonds were found concealed in noodle packets. Four pax were arrested. pic.twitter.com/j5wAPV5jAk — Mumbai Customs-III (@mumbaicus3) April 22, 2024 In a second operation, Mumbai Customs detected and seized 2.314 kilogrammes of coloured pills suspected of being MDMA, with an estimated worth of Rs. 4.62 crore, reported ANI. #WATCH | Maharashtra: During 19-21 April, 2024, Mumbai Customs seized over 6.815 Kg of gold valued at Rs 4.44 crores and diamonds valued at Rs 2.02 crores, total amounting to Rs 6.46 crores across 13 cases. Diamonds were found concealed in noodle packets. Four Passengers were… pic.twitter.com/02LzDS1aDZ — ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2024 The pills were concealed in fabric organisers, which resulted in the arrest of both an Indian and a foreign individual, the report added. "The officers of APSC Commissionerate, Mumbai Customs Zone III intercepted and seized 2.314 Kgs of coloured pills appearing to be MDMA valued at ₹ 4.62 Crores, concealed in 02 cloth organizers. A controlled delivery operation led to the arrest of an Indian and a Foreign National," Customs officials stated. The officers of APSC Commissionerate, Mumbai Customs Zone III intercepted and seized 2.314 Kgs of colored pills appearing to be MDMA valued at ₹ 4.62 Crores, concealed in 02 cloth organizers. A controlled delivery operation led to arrest of an Indian and a Foreign National. pic.twitter.com/WgWzJ4ZDSd — Mumbai Customs-III (@mumbaicus3) April 19, 2024 According to the report, earlier in April, Mumbai Customs recovered around 10.02 kilograms of gold worth Rs 6.03 crore across 12 cases. The gold was disguised in a variety of ways, including ingestion, hiding in body cavities, and concealment in bags and underwear. Three people were arrested in connection with the seizures.
23 April,2024 09:38 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
