Pakistani Link Surfaces In ₹200 Crore International Drug Syndicate Busted By NCB

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has unearthed alleged links of a Pakistan-born, US-based individual and a Tanzania-born trafficker to a drug syndicate busted in Navi Mumbai earlier this year, in which narcotics worth Rs200 crore were seized.

The February operation by the NCB’s Mumbai Zonal Unit had led to the recovery of 11.54 kg of high-grade cocaine, 4.9 kg of hydroponic ganja, 200 packets (5.5 kg) of cannabis gummies, and Rs 1.6 lakh in cash.

NCB has arrested eight persons in the said case, including alleged kingpin Navin Chichkar in the said case. Chichkar (30), was deported from Malaysia in May.

Officials said the bust followed leads from a December 2024 seizure of 200 grams of cocaine. In his statement, Chichkar named Kasim Nazir Hussein, a Tanzania-born man holding US and UK passports, as his supplier for cocaine consignments. The ganja and cannabis gummies, he claimed, were sourced from a Bangkok-based grower.

Pakistan-Born US National and Tanzania-Born Trafficker Under NCB Lens

Investigators said Hussein introduced Chichkar to Mohammed Ali Qutubuddin Ali. He is a Pakistan-born US-based player in the cocaine trade. During questioning Chichkar revealed that Hussein had visited India in 2014. 2016. 2018. 2022. and 2023. Their first meeting took place at a cannabis growers’ exhibition in Thailand in 2023. There Chichkar shared his plan to build a narcotics supply network in India. He approached Hussein to source high-grade cocaine. An NCB official confirmed this.

Drug Network Planned at Cannabis Exhibition in Thailand

Chichkar told investigators that, in a bid to expand his drug network in Mumbai, he also supplied narcotics to some of Hussein’s clients. Proceeds from these sales, he claimed, were transferred to him and then paid to Hussein through Thailand-based cryptocurrency operators. In January 2025, Hussein allegedly asked him to urgently arrange hydroponic ganja for customers in Mumbai. Chichkar said he then contacted his Thailand-based supplier, who sent a carrier, identified as Danny, to New Delhi with 40 kg of hydroponic ganja, an NCB official said.

40 kg Hydroponic Ganja Moved from New Delhi to Mumbai

Agency sources said Chichkar asked arrested accused Jayakrishna Gopakumar and Makarand Mane alias Harshad to arrange local carriers to move 40 kg of ganja from New Delhi to Mumbai. He offered Rs 2 lakh for the job. When no carrier was found he agreed to pay USD 2500 in Thai Baht to the Thailand-based supplier. The supplier then sent Danny to Mumbai. On 23.01.2025 Danny handed over the 40 kg consignment to Gopakumar.

Chichkar also told NCB officials that he was being assisted by Gopakumar and Makarand Mane for receiving and distribution of cocaine and Ganja in Mumbai and drug money collection. Chichkar stated that he had a customer of 3 kgs Cocaine in Navi Mumbai. Accordingly, on 30.01.2025, he asked Gopakumar to pack and handover the 3 kgs cocaine to the customer. Navin Gurunath Chichkar has stated that he had an Australia based customer to whom he had sent cocaine multiple times through courier. In December 2024, he had asked Gopakumar and Makarand Mane to conceal 200 grams of cocaine in a courier parcel for an Australia based customer.

Family Members and Multiple Associates Involved in Distribution

As per Chichkar drugs were being handed over by Gopakumar, Makarand Mane and Prabhat Kishor Pandey to various other receivers, some of whom were contacts of Kasim Nazir Hussein also. Chichkar also stated that Uday Gavande was engaged with him for collection of drug money and deposition at hawala in Vashi. Chichkar stated that the drug money deposited at hawala was being transferred to him through angadia trader Hemant Patel. The transactions were being made to Chichkar to his TRONLINK wallet, Thai Baht to local exchange operators in Thailand.

Chichkar also stated that he used to ask Hemant Patel to handover cash money to Harsh Joshi from time to time for his role in Customs clearance of the air cargo consignments. Further, Chichkar has also stated that his brother has been assisting him in his illicit drug trafficking business in Mumbai and used to supervise the drug distribution among Gopakumar, Makarand Mane, Prabhat Kishor Pandey, Siddheshwar Pawar and also collect the drug money and deposit to hawala also, officials said.