Mumbai: Crime branch nabs brother of notorious drug kingpin

Kamal Rajput. Pic/official sources

Mumbai Crime Branch's Anti Extortion Cell (AEC) has successfully apprehended Kamal Rajput (50), the sibling of the infamous Indian drug kingpin, Kailash Rajput, a police official said on Tuesday.

Kamal had been allegedly overseeing Kailash's expansive narcotics empire within India and had managed to evade authorities in connection with a ketamine drug case. This evasion ultimately led to the issuance of a Look Out Circular (LoC) against him, the official said.

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In a significant development earlier this year, the Mumbai Crime Branch seized ketamine drugs valued at approximately Rs 8 crore from Andheri, resulting in the arrest of eight individuals. Among these individuals, Kamal had been in communication with Vijay Mane (52), one of the arrested suspects. Following Mane's apprehension, the police initiated an active search for Kamal. Subsequently, non-bailable warrants were issued for both Kailash and Kamal in connection with the case.

Kamal was taken into custody by the police in Vasai and was subsequently presented before the court on Tuesday. The court has ordered Kamal's remand to police custody until the 30th of September. In March, the AEC successfully dismantled a syndicate involved in the illicit trafficking of ketamine to European nations from Andheri. This syndicate employed deceptive tactics, disguising drug shipments to destinations such as the UAE and the US as other illicit substances, including painkillers, sleeping pills, and aphrodisiacs, all transported by couriers. Throughout the investigation, the AEC made several arrests, including individuals associated with courier personnel and customs clearing agents.

The AEC had previously apprehended Ali Asghar Shirazi, a trusted associate of Kailash Rajput, in May. Shirazi was intercepted by the AEC at Mumbai airport while attempting to flee to Dubai.