Mumbai News: Underworld Expands Into MD Drug Trade; Salim Dola And Umed-ur-Rehman Identified As Main Suspects

Mumbai: Intelligence inputs have revealed that the underworld has expanded into the production and trafficking of the synthetic drug mephedrone (MD), with notorious gangsters Salim Dola and Umed-ur-Rehman emerging as major players in this illicit trade.

According to Mumbai Crime Branch sources, this shift marks a significant change in the underworld’s operations, with several key figures including fugitive don Dawood Ibrahim, Salim Dola, and Umed-ur-Rehman allegedly channeling funds from Pakistan and Dubai to strengthen the MD drug network in Mumbai and other parts of the country. Investigators believe the underworld is increasingly turning away from extortion and gang wars to focus on the high-profit narcotics trade.

Kidnapping of Drug Mafia Sajid Electricwala Linked to MD Deal

The Crime Branch recently uncovered an underworld link in the kidnapping and extortion of drug mafia Sajid Electricwala. Probe findings suggest that the abduction was triggered after Sajid allegedly took advance payment for an MD consignment but failed to deliver.

Connection with Pakistan-Based Underworld Figures

Crime Branch officers revealed that Sarvar Khan, one of the 14 accused arrested in the case, was in direct contact with Anwar Sheikh — also known as Anwar Bhai — the Pakistan-based brother of underworld don Chhota Shakeel. Anwar fled India in 1984 and is wanted for multiple cases, including murder and extortion.

Confession Points to Drug Manufacturing and Distribution Network

Sarvar Khan, during interrogation, allegedly confessed that Anwar had paid Sajid ₹50 lakh for manufacturing MD. When Sajid failed to deliver the drugs, he was kidnapped to recover the money. Sarvar also claimed that Anwar intended to route the manufactured MD through Umed-ur-Rehman and Salim Dola for distribution.

Reward Announced for Absconding Gangster Salim Dola

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has announced a ₹1 lakh cash reward for credible information leading to the arrest of Salim Ismail Dola, 57, who remains absconding. Umed-ur-Rehman, once considered the most wanted shooter in the Chhota Rajan gang, was arrested by Mumbai Police over a decade ago but is currently on the run.

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Rise in Domestic Synthetic Drug Production

Former Maharashtra DGP Pravin Dixit told The Free Press Journal that while India earlier served primarily as a transit hub for drug trafficking, there is now a worrying rise in domestic production of synthetic drugs like MD in remote locations. “Concerted action by departments of industry, food adulteration officers, revenue, and police is necessary. 100% checks of production units must be carried out regularly to expose such illegal activities,” Dixit said.

Underworld Profits Reinvested in Organised Crime

Investigators suspect that profits from the MD trade are being reinvested into other organised crime activities. The Mumbai Crime Branch plans to name Anwar Sheikh as a co-accused in the Sajid Electricwala case. Further raids and arrests are expected as agencies intensify their crackdown on this growing underworld–narcotics nexus.