Mumbai: Dealer smuggled drugs inside snack packets, says Anti-Extortion Cell

In a major breakthrough, the Mumbai Crime Branch's Anti Extortion Cell (AEC) has successfully apprehended Ali Asgar Shirazi, a trusted associate of notorious Indian drug lord Kailash Rajput. Sources have revealed that Shirazi allegedly used Haldiram snack packets as a cover for smuggling drugs into European nations. Shirazi has been overseeing Rajput's entire drug operation since Rajput's arrest in Ireland last year, while the process of Rajput's extradition is currently underway. Shirazi not only supervised the drug operation within India but also coordinated with foreign counterparts.

On Tuesday, Shirazi was produced before the court and remanded in custody of the AEC. The Crime Branch has disclosed that Shirazi had been under surveillance for the past few months, and his attempt to flee to Dubai on Monday was foiled when immigration authorities at the Mumbai International Airport apprehended him based on the Lookout Circular (LoC) issued against him. Additionally, Shirazi had a red corner notice against him.

Also Read: Mumbai: Close aide of drug lord Kailash Rajput arrested by Anti Extortion Cell

Agency sources have disclosed that since 2013, Kailash Rajput had been operating his criminal network from abroad, primarily in Dubai and London. Shirazi, along with an absconding accomplice named Danish Mulla, were close associates of Rajput and responsible for managing the gang's operations in India and facilitating the distribution of contraband to European countries, Australia, New Zealand, and America. It is alleged that Shirazi recently liquidated all his assets in preparation for his departure to Dubai. Similarly, in March, Danish Mulla managed to escape during the first raid conducted by law enforcement, during which several courier agents were arrested.

Global cartel dismantled earlier this year by AEC. Earlier this year in March, the AEC successfully dismantled a global cartel involved in the distribution of Ketamine to European countries, where the illicit substance was sold at parties. This syndicate was also responsible for supplying other illegal medications such as painkillers, sleeping pills, and sex enhancement pills to the UAE and the US.

Sources indicate that Shirazi, along with Kailash Rajput, was previously arrested in 2013 at Mumbai's International Airport under various sections of the NDPS Act, 1985. However, Shirazi was released from jail in 2014. In 2020, the Crime Branch's Property Cell Unit apprehended his close associates and individuals involved in the drug smuggling conspiracy. So far, eight accused individuals with links to Kailash Rajput have been arrested in the case.