Nearly seven weeks after seized heroin worth more than Rs 34 crore, the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) has arrested the alleged main supplier in the case — a 47-year-old history-sheeter wanted in several serious criminal cases across multiple states, officials said.
Police identified the accused as Amjad Yusuf Pathan, who was arrested on Thursday from Igatpuri in Nashik district of Maharashtra, where he had allegedly been hiding since the narcotics seizure in April.
Officials described Pathan as the “main supplier” in the heroin trafficking network uncovered during the investigation.
According to police, the investigation started in the early hours of April 1 when an ANC team attached to Kalyan Zone 3 was patrolling near Sanglewadi Road in the Mahatma Phule Chowk area.
At around 7.20 am, officers allegedly spotted two men carrying bags and acting suspiciously near a crematorium stretch. When , the suspects allegedly attempted to flee but were caught after a brief chase.
The two accused — Kasim Abdul Sattar Vasikar (38) from Shahapur and Krishna Nagappa Halemani (36) from Sion Koliwada — were allegedly found carrying 9.236 kg of heroin valued at around Rs 32.32 crore.
Police also recovered cash from their possession and subsequently registered a case under the NDPS Act at Mahatma Phule Chowk police station.
Heroin recovered during probe
During further investigation, police allegedly recovered another 531 grams of heroin worth around Rs 1.85 crore from Vasikar’s residence.
The total seizure in the case rose to 9.768 kg of heroin valued at more than Rs 34 crore.
Investigators said questioning of the arrested accused, along with technical analysis, led them to Pathan, who allegedly supplied heroin to the network for .
More arrests made during probe
As the probe widened, police arrested two more accused on April 5 and 6.
They were identified as Ganesan Puthuswamy Jangmar alias Anna (71), resident of Sion Koliwada and Saddam Gafur Sheikh (32), resident of Kalyan
Police said Pathan had remained absconding for several weeks before finally being traced to Igatpuri.
According to police records, Pathan has around 20 criminal cases registered against him in Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh over the past two decades.
The offences include cases under the NDPS Act, murder, robbery, Arms Act violations, attempt to murder and provisions of the
Police said he had earlier lived in Kalyan’s Bail Bazar area before going underground after the heroin seizure.
Investigation continues
Officials said the investigation is continuing to identify the wider drug supply network and trace other possible associates linked to the heroin racket.
Police are also examining the interstate narcotics supply chain and financial links connected to the accused.