Crime Branch arrests 3 in selling banned drugs in city

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

The ‘Gujarat Connection’ behind the trafficking of banned cough syrups and tablets used for intoxication has surfaced once again. Notorious drug racketeer Syed Akhil Syed Kazi Hussaini (35) had ordered the consignment four days ago. While in the process of selling these drugs, the Crime Branch apprehended him along with Shaikh Awez Shaikh Nawab (23, both residents of Silk Mills Colony) and Shaikh Arbaz Shaikh Firoz (26, resident of Abrar Colony). A total of 190 bottles were seized from their possession.

Four days ago, the Crime Branch received intelligence that a consignment of intoxicants had arrived from Gujarat at the Shahnoormiyan Dargah Chowk area. Under the instructions of Senior Police Inspector Gajanan Kalyankar, PSIs Sandeep Kale and Arjun Kadam launched a manhunt for the suspects. Upon receiving information that Akhil and Awez were heading out to sell the remaining stock at around 11 pm on Monday, the team conducted a raid. Police stormed a house in Abrar Colony and detained the three men, discovering the stash of 190 bottles.

Labels removed for sale at Rs 400

Akhil had placed an order for over 400 bottles four days ago. A smuggler from Ahmedabad personally delivered the order to the above Chowk area. Approximately 60 per cent of the stock had already been sold over the last three days, leaving 190 bottles for the police to recover. Notably, the suspects were soaking the bottles in water to peel off the original price labels, allowing them to sell each bottle to addicts for Rs 400.

Resumed operations immediately after January bail

Akhil has five to six previous criminal cases registered against him. He was arrested by the ANC (Anti-Narcotics Cell) in January 2026. However, within days of being released on bail, he returned to the trade. Fearing constant police visits to his own home, he had hidden the drug supply at the residence of Arbaz, who is Awez’s brother-in-law.