Mumbai: Chaiwala-turned-drug lord hid drugs as essential goods

The police investigation into Asgar Ali - the chaiwala involved in the cross-border trade of narcotics from Nepal - has revealed that the primary supplier based in Kathmandu used an essential goods transporter to move drugs to India. The transporter, identified as Verma, was engaged in transporting eatables, sweet corn and spices across the border. He would cleverly conceal charas within the goods and was never suspected owing to his long-standing involvement in the transportation business.

According to the officer from MHB police, the Verma received a commission of Rs 2,000-Rs 3,000 per kg to transport the contraband. Asgar Ali then sold the charas at almost double the price to buyers in India, who then sold it across India at much higher rates, ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh per kg.

Deepak Singh, Ali's supplier in Mumbai, was arrested last month

In Mumbai, Ali had four regular buyers who had for years been procuring charas from him. They would collect the charas from Ali at Chapra railway station in Bihar. To conceal his drug peddling business from the police, Ali initiated a clothing business in Siwan district, while he used the profits earned through the drug trade to build a row house in his native place.

"Ali lived with his mother, wife, and two children, claiming to be a small-time clothes dealer. His elder son worked as a mechanic at a local garage, while his younger son was studying in Std XII. Surprisingly, neither his family nor anyone from his village or the local police knew about his drug peddling business. After his arrest, everyone was shocked to learn about his involvement in the drug trade," said an officer.

According to the police, before the COVID lockdown, Ali used to run a tea stall in Sugoli which is located on the Indo-Nepal border. He told the police that drug traffickers from Nepal would meet with agents from India at his tea stall and this is where he came in contact with them. Due to the closure of tea shops during the lockdown, Ali decided to become a drug supplier.

Ali had successfully raised a drug ring by roping in men who were desperate to get rich quickly. It was the arrest of a drug seller in Mumbai by the MHB police last month that led to Ali's arrest. Deepak Singh, 29, was arrested with 500 gm of charas near the Ganpat Patil Nagar Metro station.

Rs 50K
Amount charged per kg for the drugs in India