Properties linked with Arif Bhujwala under NCB probe

Arif Bhujwala who was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) after the agency busted his alleged drug lab in South Mumbai last week is likely to face more trouble as the agency is now probing his assets. The agency believes the properties to be sale proceeds from illegal drug trafficking.

A clandestine drug laboratory operated by Bhujwala in Noor Manzil Building was busted in which the agency seized huge amounts of cash and drugs. “We have now begun another investigation in the properties belonging to Bhujwala. The preliminary investigations have revealed properties linked to him at places such as Dongri, Mira Road and Agripada,” said a senior NCB officer privy to the investigation adding that they expect the worth of properties and assets to run into several crores. The agency will probe into Bhujwala’s immovable and movable properties.

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 has launched a hunt to trace more suspects. To recall, a team conducted raids at his associate Bhujwala's residence at Noor Manzil Building, Jail Road South, Dongri in Mumbai on Wednesday evening which continued till the early morning of Thursday. It led to recovery of one automatic blank revolver, huge unaccounted cash amounting to Rs 2,18,25,600. NCB sources stated that the properties can be forfeited under the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property) Act (SAFEMA) if he fails to prove that they were obtained legitimately.