North India Statesman
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Mumbai – Narcotics Control Bureau (NCBA) arrested the mastermind of an international drug syndicate from Malaysia from Navi Mumbai. An official provided this information on Wednesday. Accused Naveen Chichkar (age 35) was absconding in several cases registered by NCB. He will be brought to Mumbai on Thursday afternoon.
Cartel, run by Chichkar, has stolen Rs 100 crore. Drugs worth Rs 1,128 crore, including cocaine and marijuana, were sold, which were obtained from the US through cargo shipment.
After a red corner notice issued by NCB, Chichkar was found in Malaysia and arrested.
The official said a team led by NCB regional director Amit Ghawte managed to detain him from Malaysia.
He said that on January 21 this year, the involvement of an international drug syndicate came to light after the seizure of 200 grams of cocaine hidden in a projector from a parcel sent by an Australian courier firm from Mumbai.
In further action, NCB seized 11.540 kg of cocaine, 4.9 kg marijuana and 5.5 kg marijuana gums from the house of an accused of Syndicate in Navi Mumbai.
The official said during the investigation, it was found that an international gang was involved in smuggling cocaine in India and its distribution in the country and abroad.
The involvement of clearing house agents and hawala operators was also revealed in this crime. A total of eight accused were arrested in this racket. Naveen Chichkar, the mastermind of the syndicate, was caught in Thailand in 2021. He was earlier absconding in a case being investigated by NCB regarding drug smuggling. NCB issued a red corner notice against Chichkar. He was caught in Malaysia.
The Government of India approached the Malaysian officials and Chichkar was taken into custody. A team of NCB officials led by Ghawte took him under control with the help of other national and international agencies in Malaysia.
Chichkar will be brought to Mumbai on Thursday afternoon and produced in court. During the police investigation, it was found that this syndicate had been working for at least one year. During this time several consignments of cocaine were found in Air cargo in Mumbai.
The interrogation of the main accused brought from Malaysia is likely to get more information about the source of drugs in the US.
Financial investigation in this case has revealed other information including property and bank accounts in Thailand. Efforts are on to seize these properties.
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According to the official, Chichkar has studied criminal psychology in London and has also completed the course of film and television.
Naveen’s builder father committed suicide by shooting himself last month.
Last month, Naveen’s father, builder Gurunath Chichkar committed suicide by shooting in his head with a pistol in his office.
He has left a suicide note in which he has written that his two sons Naveen and Dheeraj have been found involved in the drug syndicate. He could not tolerate mental stress of repeated calls by NCB officials and Navi Mumbai Police.
During the investigation of his suicide, the role of two police personnel of Navi Mumbai was revealed, after which he was arrested.
The Navi Mumbai Police arrested a total of 10 accused including two constables, including a Customs Superintendent and a former national hockey player.
