Overview
- Shaikh, 35, was detained at Dubai airport while attempting to board another flight, then deported to Mumbai and arrested by the Anti-Narcotics Cell.
- He was remanded to police custody for five days by the Esplanade Court after his arrival.
- Police say he is a close aide of alleged kingpin Salim Dola and is wanted in at least six NDPS cases involving production and sale of synthetic drugs.
- His arrest is tied to a 2022 Ghatkopar case that seized 995 grams of mephedrone worth about ₹2 crore from a Nagpada resident.
- Investigators link his network to major factory busts and seizures, including 110 kg of MD with 10 kg of Alprazolam in Bibinagar and 180 kg of MD from a Mysuru unit, as UAE cooperation also recently brought in Tahir Dola, Mustafa Kubbawala and Mohammed Salim Mohammed Sohail Shaikh.