The Patancheru police and Telangana’s Anti Narcotics Bureau (TGANB) apprehended two Mumbai-based drug peddlers with one kilogram MDMA. They sourced drugs from Nigerian suppliers in Delhi, said the police.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Mohammed Salim Abdul Hamid Shaikh, 30, and Mukesh Dubey, also aged 30, who were residents of Surya Nagar, Mumbai. “Both of them were engaged in drug peddling. A third accused, Rayees Riyaz Shaikh, also known as Aayan, 33, also from Mumbai, remains absconding,” said the police.
Two more drug suppliers involved in the case, identified as Jerry and Jimmy, both Nigerian nationals residing in New Delhi, are also absconding. During the operation, authorities seized 1 kilogram of MDMA along with four mobile phones.
“The investigation revealed that Mohammed Salim Abdul Hamid Shaikh, formerly employed as a car mechanic in Mumbai, got acquainted with Rayees Riyaz Shaikh through an online dating app. The two developed an addiction to MDMA. Recognising the high demand for the drug in Mumbai and Hyderabad, they devised a plan to purchase MDMA at lower prices and sell it at higher rates for profit. They subsequently established contact with Nigerian drug suppliers Jerry and Jimmy, from whom they procured MDMA at ₹1,000 per gram, later selling it between ₹4,000 and ₹5,000 per gram to customers,” said the police.
The accused also collaborated with Shaik Amer, a Hyderabad-based drug peddler who regularly travelled to Mumbai to source MDMA. “Mukesh Dubey, an associate of Mohammed Salim Abdul Hamid Shaikh, assisted in the transportation and delivery of the drugs, receiving commissions for each successful delivery. Dubey was frequently sent to Delhi to procure MDMA from Jerry and Jimmy,” they added.
Approximately 10 days prior to their arrest, Mohammed Salim Abdul Hamid Shaikh and Rayees Riyaz Shaikh purchased 1,320 grams of MDMA from the Nigerian suppliers, selling 320 grams to Shaik Amer. With New Year celebrations approaching, Amer requested additional quantities, prompting the accused to travel to Hyderabad with 1 kg of MDMA. Acting on intelligence, the Patancheru police, with the support of TGANB, apprehended the duo on Friday.
Published – December 22, 2024 12:38 am IST