Was a Dawood Aide Deported from Dubai and Arrested in the Salim Dola Drug Case?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Mohammed Salim Sheikh arrested in Mumbai.
- Linked to Dawood Ibrahim drug network.
- Involvement in significant mephedrone operations.
- Authorities seized assets worth ₹256.49 crore.
- Investigation initiated after the arrest of Parveen Sheikh.
Mumbai, Oct 23 (NationPress) In a significant development in the relentless fight against the drug network associated with Dawood Ibrahim, the Mumbai Crime Branch has apprehended Mohammed Salim Sheikh, a handler based in Dubai, who was deported to India regarding the Salim Dola drug trafficking case, as stated by officials on Thursday.
Sheikh is recognized as a crucial coordinator operating overseas in conjunction with Salim Dola and is accused of overseeing drug operations tied to a substantial mephedrone manufacturing network in Maharashtra. Both Sheikh and Dola are reported to be close associates of the notorious underworld figure Dawood Ibrahim.
A Red Corner Notice had previously been issued against Mohammed Salim Suhel Shaikh. He had been detained in the UAE a few weeks ago and was extradited to India after fulfilling legal requirements.
On October 22, the Mumbai Crime Branch formally took him into custody and presented him in court, where he was remanded to police custody until October 30.
Officials indicated that Sheikh was instrumental in managing the supply chain for a significant MD production unit located in Sangli, where raw materials sourced from a UAE-based chemical supplier were transformed into the synthetic drug.
The investigation commenced in February 2024, following the arrest of Parveen Sheikh in the Kurla area of Mumbai, who was found with 641 grams of mephedrone valued at ₹12.20 lakh and ₹12 lakh in cash.
During questioning, Parveen disclosed that she had acquired the drugs from the Dubai-linked network of Salim Sheikh and his associate Salim Dola through Sajid Mohammed Asif Shaikh, also known as Dabz, a resident of Mira Road.
Subsequently, police arrested Sajid, recovering 3 kg of mephedrone worth ₹6 crore, along with ₹3.68 lakh in cash from his home.
Further inquiries led the Crime Branch to a large-scale mephedrone production facility in Sangli. Acting on intelligence, the team conducted a raid on March 25, 2024, seizing 122.5 kg of mephedrone valued at ₹245 crore, in addition to raw materials, machinery, vehicles, and apprehending six individuals.
Authorities stated that the network, which comprised operatives from Surat and Sangli, procured chemicals from suppliers in Dubai to manufacture mephedrone in India.
Investigators suspect that the chemicals were supplied through a UAE-based chemical enterprise.
To date, 15 individuals, including a woman, have been arrested in this case, with contraband and assets amounting to ₹256.49 crore confiscated. These seized items include 126 kg of mephedrone valued at over ₹252 crore, ₹4.19 crore in cash, gold worth ₹1.5 lakh, vehicles worth ₹11.4 lakh, and illegal property valued at ₹55.5 lakh.