Dubai-Based Handler Mohammed Salim Sheikh Deported, Arrested By Mumbai Crime Branch In Salim Dola Drug Case

Mumbai: In a major breakthrough, the Mumbai Police Crime Branch Unit 7 has arrested Mohammed Salim Mohammed Suhail Sheikh a Dubai-based drug kingpin for allegedly running a large-scale narcotics manufacturing and distribution network across India through his associates. Sheikh was detained in the UAE under a Red Corner Notice and extradited to India after completing legal formalities. He was formally arrested on October 22 and has been remanded in police custody till October 30 by the court.

The investigation stems from a case registered in Kurla police station under Sections 8(c), 22(c), and 29 of the NDPS Act (2024) related to a massive mephedrone (MD) operation uncovered earlier last year.

About The Case

The case began on February 16, 2024, when the Ghatkopar Unit 7 team apprehended a woman, Parveen Bano Gulam Sheikh, near CST Road in Kurla (West), seizing 641 grams of mephedrone, ₹12.20 lakh in cash, and gold worth ₹1.5 lakh. The total seizure was initially valued at over ₹25 crore.

Further investigation revealed her links to accused Sajid Mohammed Asif Sheikh alias “Dabs”, who sourced the contraband from contacts of Salim Sheikh in Dubai. Police arrested Sajid from Mira Road and recovered 3 kg of mephedrone worth ₹6 crore and ₹3.68 lakh in cash from his residence.

Factory Raided in Sangli: Following technical surveillance, police traced the supply chain to a factory in Irali village, Kavthe Mahankal, Sangli district. On March 25, 2024, a coordinated raid led to the seizure of 122.5 kg of mephedrone worth ₹245 crore, along with chemicals and equipment used for drug manufacturing. Six suspects were arrested during the operation.

In total, police have seized 126.14 kg mephedrone worth ₹252.28 crore, Cash of ₹3.62 crore, Gold of ₹1.5 lakh and Skoda Car, motorcycle and others of ₹11.4 lakh, Property Assets of ₹55.5 lakh. The total valuation of the seized assets stands at an estimated ₹256.49 crore.

So far, 15 individuals 14 men and 1 woman have been arrested, including key operatives from Sangli, Surat, and Mumbai. The Dubai-based accused, Taher Salim Hola and Mustafa Mohammed Kubbawala, have already been extradited and arrested in connection with the same case.

The network reportedly manufactured and supplied mephedrone across Maharashtra and Gujarat, with raw materials being sourced from multiple states. Police have also arrested Angadiya operators (traditional couriers) who were facilitating the monetary transactions between the suppliers and distributors.

According to the Mumbai Police Crime Branch, “This was one of the largest mephedrone seizures in the state’s history. The arrest of Mohammed Salim Sheikh marks a major breakthrough against international drug cartels operating from foreign soil and using Indian networks for manufacturing and distribution.” The investigation is ongoing to trace the financial trail and identify other accomplices involved in this multi-crore drug syndicate.

“We are pursuing every drug offender very seriously, irrespective of their location. Even if the accused is abroad, we will make all sincere efforts to ensure that such offenders are brought back to the country to face Indian courts for the criminal activities committed by them.” - Lakhmi Gautam (Joint commissioner Mumbai crime Branch)

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