The Mumbai Crime Branch’s anti-extortion cell (AEC) has arrested three of Mumbai airport’s customs clearing agents for allegedly conniving with a drug cartel that was sending narcotics to Europe, the US and the UAE. According to officials, the gang has links with drug lord Kailash Rajput, a close associate of don Dawood Ibrahim. Rajput was recently detained in Ireland, based on the information provided by the crime branch and, is due for extradition. His henchman, Danish Mulla, is now operating the gang from Dubai. Since Rajput’s arrest, this was the first consignment that was going to Europe and the UAE via Mumbai airport.

The AEC team, led by DCP Datta Nalawade and investigating officers PI Arun Thorat and Sunil Pawar and Senior PI Dyaneshwar Ghanore raided a courier firm in Andheri on March 16, which led to the recovery of Ketamine worth R8 crore and banned sexual performance enhancement tablets to be supplied to the UAE and Europe.