Arif Bhujwala arrested

Links with foreign-based drug peddler under scanner

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has arrested Arif Bhujwala who was on the run after the agency busted his alleged drug lab in South Mumbai last week.Bhujwala’s name had cropped up after the arrest of Parvez Khan alias Chinku Pathan, relative of mafia don Karim Lala in a drug case. Sameer Wankhede, zonal director, NCB who led the operation confirmed the detention of Bhujwala.

A clandestine drug laboratory operated by Bhujwala in Noor Manzil Building was busted in which the agency seized huge amounts of cash and drugs. NCB stated that Pathan and Bhujwala are said to be kingpins in drug trafficking networks operated by the underworld and ran their illegal trade across Mumbai and surrounding areas.

NCB sleuths picked up Bhujwala and the process of his arrest was underway till Monday night. NCB sources stated that Bhujwala along with his accomplice was detained from Raigad near Mumbai. “Bhujwala was in touch with Kailash Rajput, a drug dealer who has been running his activities from abroad,” said an NCB officer. The agency suspects that Bhujwala was working at the behest of Rajput who has emerged as one of the top drug dealers.

Rajput has been previously arrested in a drug case. Agencies such as the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and special cell of Delhi police are looking out for him. He is suspected to have been running a drug network across many countries.

The NCB is likely to question Bhujwala over his alleged links with the underworld and his visits to Dubai where the agency suspects he met Rajput. He will be produced before a competent court on Monday. The total number of arrests in the case which is regarded as a major success has reached six now.