30 September,2016 10:30 AM IST | | Asif Rizvi
Seven-member squad not only recovered drugs worth Rs 3.87 lakh but also recovered equipment such as a weighing scale used to divide the drugs among local dealers, and a cell phone used for contacting them and consumers
Abdul Latif Shaikh
The seven-member team from Dongri Police Station, formed to catch Nigerian drug peddlers, caught a known local drug dealer in the early hours of Thursday.
The squad not only recovered drugs worth Rs 3.87 lakh but also recovered equipment such as a weighing scale used to divide the drugs among local dealers, and a cell phone used for contacting them and consumers. The accused has been identified as Abdul Latif Shaikh (30).
mid-day had first reported on Tuesday about how cops are planning to nab international drug dealers.
Also Read: Mumbai cops beef up to take on Nigerian drug peddlers
A team of seven well-built cops has been formed to patrol day and night, gather information, and then lay traps to catch Nigerian drug peddlers in south Mumbai.
Cop says
According to Senior Police Inspector Nitin Bangale of Dongri police, "The team, while working on past records of history sheeters, came across the drug dealer and activated local sources. They had information that the accused was coming for a deal at Pala Galli in Dongri in the wee hours of Thursday. Accordingly the team laid a trap leading to his arrest."
With his arrest the police believes that the backbone of small time peddlers in the locality was broken.
A police official said, "Shaikh had been active in the business for several years. His arrest led to the recovery of 129 grams of Mephedrone also called MD or Meow Meow. He has been booked under section 8 (c) and 22 of the Narcotics, Drugs and Psychotropic Substances act."
Read Story: Botched drug raid at Wadi Bunder leaves Mumbai crime branch red-faced
Following the murder of a Nigerian national over a drug deal dispute, the police had formed a special team to clear the area of drug menace. The officials in the team are well-built and counter trained to deal with hefty Nigerian nationals.
Drug haul
Four drug dealers have been arrested since the formation of the special squad and drugs worth R6.87 lakh have been seized from them.
