The Hindu : New Delhi News : Inter-State gang of hashish smugglers, snatchers busted

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Sunday, Jun 05, 2011
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New Delhi

Inter-State gang of hashish smugglers, snatchers busted

Staff Reporter

They were active in Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad

NEW DELHI: Twelve alleged members of a Mumbai-based gang involved in smuggling of hashish and snatching cases, also active in Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad, have been arrested in North Delhi. The police claim to have seized seven kilogram charas from them.

One gang member Syed Amjad, a resident of Andheri west in Mumbai, was arrested at Lahori Gate. During interrogation, he purportedly disclosed the names of his accomplices.

Subsequently the police arrested Mohammad Salim Islam Sheikh and Mohammad Numan Sheikh allegedly with the stolen property. Their interrogation revealed that one Babu Bhai had been running the gang.

However, Babu Bhai's name could not be found in the Mumbai Police records. The police achieved a major breakthrough when they arrested five other accused, Iliyas Beg, Salim Gasi Sheikh, Sachin, Abu Tahir and Yameen in May.

During interrogation, the accused disclosed that they were also involved in drug smuggling. At their instance, the police arrested three more accused on May 26 and allegedly seized one kilogram hashish from him. Subsequently, alleged gang leader Babu Bhai and his accomplices Sheikh Gulzar and Mohammad Rizwan were arrested with a consignment of hashish.

According to the police, Babu Bhai was first arrested in 1997. He floated his own gang in 2002, which now comprises 25 criminals. He used to stay in luxury hotels, paid expenses for the stay of his gang members in different cities, said the police.

Babu Bhai would interact only with trusted accomplices and gave directions mostly over the phone.

Shares of the gang members would be transferred to their families through bank accounts.

During his stay in the Capital, Babu Bhai allegedly hired a lawyer to secure bail for his gang members.

“He has a well-organised gang. He had been operating in Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai for the past 10 years without getting arrested even once. He took all precautions to conceal his identity and place of stay to evade detection. We have obtained his police custody for interrogation and recovery of stolen articles,” said a police officer, adding that the gang members were involved in at least 14 cases in the Capital.

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