Latest news with #Chichkar
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Time of India
Drug cartel kingpin deported from Malaysia in custody of Navi Mumbai police, one aide held from Nerul
NAVI MUMBAI: The Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) unit of the Navi Mumbai crime branch took custody of the drug cartel kingpin, Navi Chichkar, who was arrested in May by the Mumbai Narcotics Control Bureau in the Rs 1,000 crore drug seizure case. ANC team also took custody of Chickar's aide identified as Prabhat Pandey (30). Chichkar was deported from Malaysia after a red-corner notice was issued against him. The custody of Chichkar' and Pandey was taken by the Navi Mumbai ANC in connection with the seizure of 17.2 grams of hydro ganja worth Rs 2.80 lakh on April 14. This followed a raid conducted on a tip-off about a drug deal being carried out in a terrace flat in Sector-15, Nerul. The flat owner, Ashish Gaware (22), and Ahmed Aulagi (23) were arrested, but their associate, Akash Maurya, escaped and is still untraceable. Sandeep Nigade, senior inspector of the ANC, said, "The alleged drug kingpin, Navin Chichkar and his aide Pandey were produced before the Belapur JMFC court and remanded in police custody untill June 16. Till date, 18 accused have been arrested in the drugs cartel operated by kingpin Navin Chichkar and 14 more accused are wanted." After a fortnight of the drug seizure, the Navi Mumbai crime branch team arrested a former national hockey player, a customs superintendent, a clearing agent, two police constables, and two angadias in connection with the April 14 hydro ganja bust by the Navi Mumbai Crime Branch's Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC). The alleged kingpin of this drug cartel was Naveen Chichkar, the elder son of builder Gurunath Chichkar, who shot himself in the head at his Belapur office on April 25. Chichkar's police custody was obtained for further interrogation, informed a crime branch officer. Builder Gurunath Chichkar left behind a note in which he alleged being 'harassed' by cops who repeatedly summoned him for inquiry into the drug cases filed against his sons, Naveen and Dhiraj. After the April 14 drug bust in Nerul, during interrogation, the arrested duo, Gaware and Aulagi, revealed the names of former hockey player Sujit Bangera and Sahil Lambe (27), both Nerul residents, who allegedly smuggled the hydro ganja from Thailand to Mumbai via flights. At Mumbai airport, the contraband was cleared by customs clearing agent Kamal Chandwani (56) and customs superintendent Prashant Gaur (40), both Kharghar residents, who were also arrested. During the investigation, the police found that Kharghar police constable Sandeep Bhalerao (40) was communicating with Chandwani for the past six months, and ANC unit constable Sanjay Phulkar (36) was in touch with Bhalerao since the cartel bust. Hence, the two cops were also arrested. Further investigation showed that the cash obtained by Bangera and Chandwani from the sale of hydro ganja was routed to Thailand through two Vashi-based angadias, Ankit Patel and Rinkunkumar Patel, who converted it into cryptocurrency, and hence they too were arrested.
Hindustan Times
29-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Drug kingpin Navin Chichkar deported from Malaysia
MUMBAI: Navin Chichkar, the alleged kingpin of a drug trafficking syndicate operating from Malaysia, has been deported from Malaysia and is now in the custody of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Mumbai. He was recently deported in an operation involving several authorities, including Interpol and the Central Bureau of Investigation. Since January, the NCB has seized from alleged members of the syndicate 11.7 kg of cocaine and 10.4 kg of cannabis and cannabis gummies. Based on an NCB request, Interpol recently issued a Red Corner Notice against Chichkar, which led to his deportation to India. Chichkar first came under the NCB scanner in 2021 in connection with a case of LSD trafficking but he was absconding. He later surfaced in Thailand and was recently located in Malaysia, where he was detained for deportation. A city court on Tuesday remanded Chichkar to the custody of the NCB. Chichkar has a post-graduate degree in psychology from the United Kingdom, according to agency sources. Last month, his father, a local builder, died by suicide in Navi Mumbai. The NCB resumed the hunt for the drug trafficker with the seizure of 200 grams of cocaine concealed in a projector being shipped by air through a private courier to Australia on January 21, agency sources said. Following a bottom–to-top approach during the investigation, the NCB team seized more narcotics in a subsequent operation. This included 11.54 kg of cocaine, 4.9 kg of cannabis and 5.5 kg of cannabis gummies allegedly from the home of a syndicate member in Navi Mumbai, the sources said. The NCB's probe revealed the involvement of the syndicate, which trafficked cocaine from the United States to India, and its further distribution within and outside India, the sources added. The probe revealed the involvement of clearing house agents and hawala operators. So far, the NCB has arrested eight individuals linked to the syndicate. The syndicate was active for at least a year and multiple consignments of cocaine via air cargo were allegedly received in Mumbai during this time, the sources said. 'Chichkar's interrogation is likely to reveal more details of his operations including the source of drugs in the US,' a NCB source said. 'Financial investigation in the case has already led to identification of assets including properties and bank accounts in Thailand. Efforts are underway for their attachment,' the NCB source added. In a separate case, earlier this month, the NCB had secured the deportation of an accused from the United Arab Emirates, who was involved in a drug trafficking case in Bengaluru.
NDTV
28-05-2025
- NDTV
Mumbai Man, Alleged Kingpin Of Drug Syndicate, Arrested From Malaysia
Mumbai: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has arrested a Navi Mumbai resident, alleged to be the kingpin of a "transnational drug syndicate", after securing his deportation from Malaysia, officials said on Wednesday. Naveen Chichkar (35) is wanted in multiple cases registered by the NCB, and would be brought to Mumbai on Thursday afternoon, an official said here. The cartel operated by Chichkar sold drugs worth Rs 1,128 crore in India, including cocaine and hybrid strain hydroponic weed that were sourced from the USA via cargo shipments, he said. Chichkar was located and arrested in Malaysia following a red-corner notice issued by the NCB, he said. A team led by NCB zonal director Amit Ghawate succeeded in securing his custody from Malaysia, the official added. The involvement of the international drug syndicate came to light after the seizure of 200 grams of cocaine hidden in a projector from a parcel being sent from Mumbai to Australia through a courier firm on January 21 this year, he said. In a follow-up operation of the case, the NCB seized 11.540 kilograms of cocaine, 4.9 kilograms of cannabis and 5.5 kilograms of cannabis gummies from the house of one of the members of the syndicate in Navi Mumbai, he said. During the investigation, it came to light that a well-oiled international syndicate was involved in trafficking cocaine from the USA to India, and also in its distribution in India and outside, the official added. The involvement of Clearing House Agents (CHA) and hawala operators also came to the surface during the probe. "A total of eight accused persons were arrested in connection with the case, and Naveen Chichkar, the kingpin of the syndicate, was tracked in Thailand in 2021 after absconding in a previous case being probed by the NCB regarding trafficking of LSD," he said. The NCB had issued a red-corner notice against Chichkar, he said, adding he was subsequently located in Malaysia. "Accordingly, a correspondence was made with the Malaysian authorities by the Indian government, and Chichkar was detained. A team of NCB officials led by Ghawate secured his custody with the assistance of other national and international agencies from Malaysia," he said. Chichkar has been brought to India, and will be taken to Mumbai on Thursday afternoon, where he will be produced before a court, he said. During the investigation, it came to light that the syndicate was operating for at least one year, and multiple consignments of cocaine to air cargo were received in Mumbai during this period, he said. "Interrogation of the kingpin brought from Malaysia is likely to reveal more details of his operations, including the source of drugs in the USA," he said. Financial investigation in the case has already led to identification of assets, including properties and bank accounts in Thailand, he said, adding efforts are on for attachment of these properties. Last month, Gurunath Chichkar ended his life by shooting himself in the head with a pistol at his office. He left a suicide note mentioning that he could not bear the mental stress caused by repeated summons by the NCB officials and the Navi Mumbai Police, as his two sons Naveen and Dhiraj were found to be involved in a drug syndicate. During the investigation of his suicide, the role of two personnel of the Navi Mumbai police came to light, following which they were placed under arrest. Besides the two constables, the Navi Mumbai police arrested a total of 10 accused persons, including a Customs superintendent and a former national hockey player, he said. According to the official, Chichkar has studied criminal psychology in London besides completing a course in film and television.
Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Indian Express
‘Kingpin' of international drug racket deported from Malaysia, arrested
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has arrested a Navi Mumbai resident, alleged to be the kingpin of a 'transnational drug syndicate', after securing his deportation from Malaysia, officials said on Wednesday. Naveen Chichkar (35) is wanted in multiple cases registered by the NCB, and would be brought to Mumbai on Thursday afternoon, an official said here. The cartel operated by Chichkar sold drugs worth Rs 1,128 crore in India, including cocaine and hybrid strain hydroponic weed that were sourced from the USA via cargo shipments, he said. Chichkar was located and apprehended in Malaysia following a red-corner notice issued by the NCB, he said. A team led by NCB zonal director Amit Ghawate succeeded in securing his custody from Malaysia, the official added. The involvement of the international drug syndicate came to light after the seizure of 200 grams of cocaine hidden in a projector from a parcel being sent from Mumbai to Australia through a courier firm on January 21 this year, he said. In a follow-up operation of the case, the NCB seized 11.540 kilograms of cocaine, 4.9 kilograms of cannabis and 5.5 kilograms of cannabis gummies from the house of one of the members of the syndicate in Navi Mumbai, he said. During the investigation, it came to light that a well-oiled international syndicate was involved in trafficking cocaine from the USA to India, and also in its distribution in India and outside, the official added. The involvement of Clearing House Agents (CHA) and hawala operators also came to the surface during the probe. 'A total of eight accused persons were arrested in connection with the case, and Naveen Chichkar, the kingpin of the syndicate, was tracked in Thailand in 2021 after absconding in a previous case being probed by the NCB regarding trafficking of LSD,' he said. The NCB had issued a red-corner notice against Chichkar, he said, adding he was subsequently located in Malaysia. 'Accordingly, a correspondence was made with the Malaysian authorities by the Indian government, and Chichkar was detained. A team of NCB officials led by Ghawate secured his custody with the assistance of other national and international agencies from Malaysia,' he said. Chichkar has been brought to India, and will be taken to Mumbai on Thursday afternoon, where he will be produced before a court, he said. During the investigation, it came to light that the syndicate was operating for at least one year, and multiple consignments of cocaine to air cargo were received in Mumbai during this period, he said. 'Interrogation of the kingpin brought from Malaysia is likely to reveal more details of his operations, including the source of drugs in the USA,' he said. Financial investigation in the case has already led to identification of assets, including properties and bank accounts in Thailand, he said, adding efforts are on for attachment of these properties. Last month, Gurunath Chichkar ended his life by shooting himself in the head with a pistol at his office. He left a suicide note mentioning that he could not bear the mental stress caused by repeated summons by the NCB officials and the Navi Mumbai Police, as his two sons Naveen and Dhiraj were found to be involved in a drug syndicate. During the investigation of his suicide, the role of two personnel of the Navi Mumbai police came to light, following which they were placed under arrest. Besides the two constables, the Navi Mumbai police arrested a total of 10 accused persons, including a Customs superintendent and a former national hockey player, he said. According to the official, Chichkar has studied criminal psychology in London besides completing a course in film and television.
Hindustan Times
28-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Indian ‘kingpin' of international drug racket deported from Malaysia, arrested
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has arrested a Navi Mumbai resident, alleged to be the kingpin of a "transnational drug syndicate", after securing his deportation from Malaysia, officials said on Wednesday. Naveen Chichkar (35) is wanted in multiple cases registered by the NCB, and would be brought to Mumbai on Thursday afternoon, an official said here. The cartel operated by Chichkar sold drugs worth ₹1,128 crore in India, including cocaine and hybrid strain hydroponic weed that were sourced from the USA via cargo shipments, he said. Also Read: Punjab drug menace: Warring for studying Canadian model of legalising marijuana Chichkar was located and apprehended in Malaysia following a red-corner notice issued by the NCB, he said. A team led by NCB zonal director Amit Ghawate succeeded in securing his custody from Malaysia, the official added. The involvement of the international drug syndicate came to light after the seizure of 200 grams of cocaine hidden in a projector from a parcel being sent from Mumbai to Australia through a courier firm on January 21 this year, he said. Also Read: Pune police bust drug racket run by 'Lady Don' Kalyani Deshpande; 20 kg ganja seized In a follow-up operation of the case, the NCB seized 11.540 kilograms of cocaine, 4.9 kilograms of cannabis and 5.5 kilograms of cannabis gummies from the house of one of the members of the syndicate in Navi Mumbai, he said. During the investigation, it came to light that a well-oiled international syndicate was involved in trafficking cocaine from the USA to India, and also in its distribution in India and outside, the official added. The involvement of Clearing House Agents (CHA) and hawala operators also came to the surface during the probe. Also Read: Assam Cong President blames BJP for illegal mining, drug trafficking in NE region "A total of eight accused persons were arrested in connection with the case, and Naveen Chichkar, the kingpin of the syndicate, was tracked in Thailand in 2021 after absconding in a previous case being probed by the NCB regarding trafficking of LSD," he said. The NCB had issued a red-corner notice against Chichkar, he said, adding he was subsequently located in Malaysia. "Accordingly, a correspondence was made with the Malaysian authorities by the Indian government, and Chichkar was detained. A team of NCB officials led by Ghawate secured his custody with the assistance of other national and international agencies from Malaysia," he said. Chichkar has been brought to India, and will be taken to Mumbai on Thursday afternoon, where he will be produced before a court, he said. During the investigation, it came to light that the syndicate was operating for at least one year, and multiple consignments of cocaine to air cargo were received in Mumbai during this period, he said. "Interrogation of the kingpin brought from Malaysia is likely to reveal more details of his operations, including the source of drugs in the USA," he said. Financial investigation in the case has already led to identification of assets, including properties and bank accounts in Thailand, he said, adding efforts are on for attachment of these properties. Last month, Gurunath Chichkar ended his life by shooting himself in the head with a pistol at his office. He left a suicide note mentioning that he could not bear the mental stress caused by repeated summons by the NCB officials and the Navi Mumbai Police, as his two sons Naveen and Dhiraj were found to be involved in a drug syndicate. During the investigation of his suicide, the role of two personnel of the Navi Mumbai police came to light, following which they were placed under arrest. Besides the two constables, the Navi Mumbai police arrested a total of 10 accused persons, including a Customs superintendent and a former national hockey player, he said. According to the official, Chichkar has studied criminal psychology in London besides completing a course in film and television.
