Mumbai, May 21 (IANS) In a significant breakthrough against organised drug syndicates, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has secured the conviction of five key accused in the high-profile 2021 Mumbai Synthetic Drug Trafficking Case.

A Special NDPS Court in Thane, Maharashtra, delivered the verdict, handing down stringent punishments that underscore the agency’s aggressive crackdown on narcotics networks operating in the financial capital, the NCB said in a post on its official X handle.

The court sentenced Mohammed Arif Yaqoob Bhujwala, a resident of Chinchbunder, Mumbai, to 15 years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 2 lakh, it said.

Three other accused, Parvez Khan alias Chinku Pathan and Mohammed Salman Khan, both from Chinchbunder, Mumbai, and Vikrant Jain from Bhiwandi, Thane, received five years’ imprisonment each and were fined Rs 50,000 individually.

Haris Faizullah Khan from Bandra West, Mumbai, was awarded one year of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000.

In addition to the jail terms, authorities attached assets worth over Rs 6.5 crore linked to the accused, dealing a severe blow to their financial operations, the NCB said.

The case dates back to 2021 when NCB teams seized substantial quantities of synthetic drugs, including Mephedrone and Methamphetamine, along with precursor chemicals used in their manufacturing.

Investigations revealed a well-organised network involved in large-scale laundering of drug proceeds and the possession of illegal firearms by the convicted individuals.

The operation highlighted the intersection of drug trafficking with money laundering and armed criminal activities in urban Maharashtra.

This landmark conviction is being hailed as a testament to the NCB’s effective strategy of targeting entire drug ecosystems rather than isolated operators.

Officials emphasised that the agency followed a comprehensive top-to-bottom, network-centric approach, mapping out supply chains, financial trails, and key operatives before launching coordinated actions.

The success aligns with the vision articulated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who has consistently stressed the need to dismantle complete syndicates and their supporting infrastructure to curb the flow of narcotics.

The verdict sends a strong message to drug traffickers that the era of operating with impunity in Mumbai and surrounding areas is over.

With synthetic drugs posing a growing threat due to their high potency and addictive nature, such convictions are expected to disrupt supply lines and deter potential offenders.

NCB sources indicated that further probes into linked networks are underway, promising more breakthroughs in the coming months.

This outcome not only strengthens the fight against the drug menace but also reinforces public confidence in law enforcement agencies dedicated to safeguarding society from the devastating impact of narcotics.

–IANS

sktr/dan