The Mumbai Crime Branch’s Anti-Narcotics Cell has detained a 44-year-old alleged drug trafficker with 13 criminal cases under the PIT-NDPS Act. The accused, a repeat offender booked under NDPS and IPC provisions, has been lodged at Amravati Central Jail following approval from the state home department
According to the police, the accused is a habitual offender actively, engaged in the narcotics trade. Representational pic
The anti-narcotics cell (ANC) of Mumbai Crime Branch on Saturday detained a 44-year-old alleged drug trafficker under the stringent Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act, 1988.
The accused, Shamsuddin Mohammed Sheikh alias Ajju, has been detained for a year and lodged at Amravati Central Jail, following approval from the home department of the Maharashtra government.
According to police, the Kandivali Unit of ANC had registered a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, for his alleged involvement in the trafficking of MD (mephedrone). Sheikh is a habitual offender actively, engaged in the narcotics trade, a statement released by the police said.
Records show that Sheikh is involved in 13 criminal cases, including five under the NDPS Act and eight cases under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). A charge sheet has already been filed against him and the trial is pending before a court.
He was earlier lodged as an undertrial prisoner at Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai. Following the approval of the Prevention of Illicit Traffic (PIT)-NDPS detention order, he was taken into custody and lodged at Amravati Central Jail on Saturday. Police said there was a strong likelihood that he would resume drug trafficking activities if released, prompting preventive detention under PIT-NDPS Act.
Acting on behalf of the Mumbai Police Commissioner, the Kandivali ANC submitted a proposal to the detaining authority and principal secretary (special) of the home department, seeking Sheikh’s detention. The proposal was subsequently approved, leading to the execution of the detention order.
Accused has a history of violent and drug-related offences, say Mumbai Police
Sheikh’s criminal history includes serious offences registered at Dindoshi, Oshiwara, and other police stations, ranging from violent crimes and property offences to multiple cases under the NDPS Act between 2001 and 2025, indicating sustained involvement in criminal and narcotics-related activities, the police said in a press release.
The operation was carried out under the guidance of Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Lakhmi Gautam, and Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Shailesh Balkawade.
The action was supervised by Deputy Commissioner of Police (ANC) Navnath Dhawale and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ANC) Sudhir Hirdekar, while the field operation was led by Senior Inspector Shashikant Jagdale, along with a team from ANC and the crime prevention branch.
Police said the detention reflects their continued focus on curbing repeat offenders involved in narcotics trafficking in the city.
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