Notorious drug peddler Ashfaq Patel’s network busted; 843 bottles seized

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Infamous Shahbazar drug peddler Ashfaq Patel used friends and relatives in Jinsi and City Chowk to distribute narcotics. On the third day of the police crackdown, 26-year-old associate Syed Rahim was arrested in Champa Chowk with 843 bottles seized.

The Crime Branch, under Police Commissioner Pravin Pawar and Deputy Commissioner Ratnakar Navle, launched a special operation after traffickers from Latur attempted to run over officers on January 24. So far, 10 accused have been arrested. Inspector Gajanan Kalyankar’s team raided Rahim’s home following intel about Ashfaq’s hidden stock. Ashfaq also has a prior gambling case. After Latur associates were caught, Ashfaq went into hiding. His brother, 27-year-old Shaikh Mustaq, was arrested Wednesday night, and close associate Shekh Kaleem (35) confirmed Ashfaq remains active in MD Drugs. Interrogations revealed Ashfaq forced friends and relatives into selling his drugs, threatening them to return double advances if they refused. Investigations show a 36-member network spanning Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Latur, and Udgir. Police reviewed the case and instructed tracing all contacts linked to these individuals. For the first time, Ashfaq has fled the district due to the crackdown. A special team has been dispatched to apprehend him.