Connect with us
Thursday,30-October-2025
Breaking News

Crime

Mumbai: SIIB Foils Rs 10 Crore Red Sandalwood Smuggling Plot, Arrests Importer-Exporter Code Holder

Published

on

Mumbai: SIIB Foils Rs 10 Crore Red Sandalwood Smuggling Plot, Arrests Importer-Exporter Code Holder

The Special Intelligence and Investigation Branch (SIIB-Export) has apprehended Santosh Nalawade, an allegedly key figure in an interstate smuggling network, for his involvement in a red sandalwood smuggling operation involving 9.6 metric tons valued at Rs 10 crore.

IEC Holder For Elite Exim Trading, Santosh Nalawade Arrested

Nalawade, the Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) holder for Elite Exim Trading, had been evading authorities for several days but was apprehended on Tuesday. He was presented before the Uran Court, which remanded him to 14 days of judicial custody. This marks the third and crucial arrest in the case, following the earlier arrests of transporter Akshay Bhausaheb Aher and driver Ganesh Sukhadare, who are associates of Nalawade. 

About Santosh Nalawade

According to officials Nalawade is alleged to be one of the masterminds in an organized smuggling ring with international links He had planned to export 9.6 tons of red sandalwood to Sharjah under the guise of “Western Combat Toilets.” The operation was meticulously planned, with contingency measures such as a “Plan B” to evade arrest and prevent the full scope of the scheme from being exposed and to shield other syndicate members. These strategies are reportedly adopted by techniques seen in movies. 

About The Smuggling Plot

A senior officer, speaking on the condition of anonymity, has revealed the Nalawade in collusion with smuggling network syndicates had meticulously orchestrated the operation. He booked two containers, aided in numbering the both with same number, and handed over the delivery order of these containers to other masterminds. One container loaded on a truck, labeled as carrying “Western commode toilet seats,” was stationed at Sarveshwar CFS in JNPT SEZ, Navi Mumbai, under Elite Exim Trading’s name, and had officially declared the cargo as a delivery destined for a Sharjah-based company. while the second container, filled with red sandalwood logs worth Rs 10 crores, was waiting at a distant location from the port. 

On September 2nd, the container stationed at Sarveshwar CFS, loaded with the Western commode toilet seats, underwent rigorous scrutiny and received customs clearance from the SIIB. After clearance, the truck loaded with this container was dispatched to JNCH Port for loading onto an international vessel. However, the truck with its sealed container mysteriously disappeared and diverted to the location where the second truck, loaded with red sandalwood consignment, was waiting. Both containers had identical specifications, including size, weight, and the same container number. The red sandalwood truck with a container, using customs documents for the toilet seats, proceeded to the BMCT port terminal at Nhava Sheva, aiming to smuggle the cargo. following the instructions of masterminds including  Nalawade. Meanwhile, the original truck, which was carrying Western commode toilet seats, returned to the supplier with its cargo, despite having already been cleared for export by SIIB.  

However, acting on a critical tip-off, the SIIB mobilized and intercepted the container containing the illicit cargo.     

The investigation revealed that Nalawade’s operation was designed to keep participants isolated and unaware of each other to avoid exposing the broader network if any member was apprehended. He aimed to avoid any loopholes, which is why he did not hire a Customs House Agent (CHA) for the consignment export. Instead, he managed the consignment through his own company. Nalawade in collusion with syndicate members used the tricky tactic to collect red sandalwood consignments from Pune and Ahmednagar.

This strategy was designed so that if any individual were apprehended by law enforcement, customs, or any other agency, they would not be able to reveal further links or connections within the operation.

The arrested transporter, Akshay Bhausaheb Aher, and the driver, Ganesh Sukhadare—both associates of Nalawade—revealed crucial details during the investigation.

According to Sukhadare, he had collected an empty container from M/s Bhavani Empty Container on Aher’s instructions. After retrieving the container, Sukhadare left the truck with the empty container in private parking near T-Point, Pushpak Nagar, with the keys inside the cabin. He was aware that someone else would later relocate the vehicle to an undisclosed location, a few days before the smuggling operation. The vehicle carrying the empty container was then moved to the border areas of Pune and Ahmednagar District by an unidentified person hired by Nalawade for the collection and transport of the illicit goods, red sandalwood, totaling 9,260 kg valued at approximately Rs 10 crore, and reached the Navi Mumbai border area on September 3.

As planned, the truck carrying the red sandalwood, with its container swapped and accompanied by customs clearance documents, arrived at Nhava Sheva port, where it was intercepted by the SIIB following a critical tip-off.   

The SIIB is currently investigating the Pune/Ahmednagar locations where the truck carrying the container was parked and loaded with Red Sanders. This investigation aims to pinpoint the exact collection points and to identify the individuals involved. Additionally, the SIIB is probing the state supplier and the recipient in Sharjah-based consignee.

Crime

Fake BARC Scientist Case: Delhi Police Nab Main Accused’s Brother With Forged Passports

Published

on

Mumbai: The Mumbai Crime Branch’s probe into the fake Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) scientist case has widened, exposing a sophisticated document forgery racket spanning Mumbai, Delhi, and Jharkhand. The main accused, Akhtar Hussain Qutubuddin Ahmed alias Alexander Palmer (60) arrested from Versova’s Yari Road earlier this mont has now been linked to multiple fake identity operations involving his brother and other associates.

According to police sources, Delhi Police’s Special Cell has arrested Akhtar’s brother, Adil Husaini alias Syed Adil Hussain alias Mohammad Adil Husaini alias Naseemuddin, from the Seemapuri area of Delhi. Adil was found in possession of multiple fake passports and other forged documents. The Delhi Police confirmed that the arrest followed intelligence inputs shared by the Mumbai Crime Branch.

Investigations have revealed that Adil was deeply involved in creating fake passports and identity cards using counterfeit Aadhaar cards and supporting documents. One original and two forged passports were recovered from him. Preliminary findings indicate that Adil not only created these forgeries but also used them for international travel, including to Pakistan and other countries, raising suspicions of possible links with foreign atomic agencies.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Police Crime Intelligence Unit (CIU) has arrested another accused, Monazir Khan (34), from Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. He allegedly supplied forged documents including fake BARC ID cards, Aadhaar, and educational certificates to Akhtar Hussain. When produced before the court for the second time, Monazir was remanded to police custody until November 1, while Akhtar has been sent to judicial custody.

During interrogation, Akhtar had falsely claimed that his brother Adil was dead. His subsequent arrest in Delhi, however, disproved this.

Investigators suspect that Monazir Khan prepared Adil’s fake passport in 2016 using documents linked to an address in Jamshedpur that Akhtar had sold years earlier. The passport verification process reportedly failed to detect the discrepancy a lapse now under review by Jharkhand Police and passport authorities.

Further investigations have shown that Akhtar used at least three fake passports under the name Alexander Palmer, along with bogus PAN cards, Aadhaar cards, driving licences, and mark sheets from the Bihar Intermediate Education Board and Biju Patnaik University of Technology (Odisha). Authorities also recovered documents related to nuclear technology and maps suspected to contain sensitive data.

Forensic analysis of Akhtar’s phone revealed his use of advanced tools such as Super VPN Pro to mask his location while traveling under false identities across India and abroad since 2015.

A case has been registered at Versova Police Station under Sections 319(2), 336(2), 337, 338, and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and Sections 61(2) and 12(1)(b) of the Passport Act. Both Mumbai and Delhi Police are coordinating with Jharkhand authorities to determine how these forged documents passed scrutiny and whether official collusion was involved.

Officials believe the case points to a high-level forgery network operating under the guise of scientific and government identities, raising concerns of potential national security breaches linked to the fake BARC credentials.

Continue Reading

Crime

Mumbai Tragedy: 22-Year-Old Ghatkopar Resident Dies In Drunk-Driving Crash At Chembur’s Tilak Nagar; Friend Injured

Published

on

Mumbai: A 22-year-old man, identified as Varun Prasad Kamble, a resident of Ramabai Colony, Ghatkopar (East), died in a road accident at Tilak Nagar, Chembur, early Tuesday morning. His friend, Abhijeet Mangesh Sapkal, 20, sustained multiple injuries in the crash.

According to the statement given by the injured Sapkal to the Tilak Nagar police, both he and Kamble were unemployed at the time of the incident. Sapkal had previously worked at Garden Hotel in Bandra-Kurla Complex, while Kamble was employed with a diamond company in Andheri before taking a month-long leave.

According to the FIR, on the evening of October 27, around 7 to 8 p.m., the duo borrowed their friend Rahul Binde’s NTorq scooter (MH-03-DH-4705) and went drinking at Nokia Bar on P.L. Lokhande Marg, Chembur. Kamble was allegedly already intoxicated when he arrived. They were later joined by three other friends at the bar. The group also visited another establishment, Sridevi Bar, located opposite the first one.

After returning to their neighborhood around 12.30 a.m., the friends chatted for a while before dispersing. Kamble and Sapkal then decided to ride to Kurla (West) for a late-night snack of bhurji pav. At around 2 a.m. on October 28, the two reached the Kohinoor area in Kurla (West) but couldn’t find any food stalls open.

Kamble then insisted on driving the scooter, to which Sapkal agreed. While returning towards Ramabai Colony, at around 2.30 a.m., Kamble lost control of the vehicle on the LTT Bridge, SCLR Road, Tilak Nagar, and the scooter skidded after hitting a road divider.

Sapkal sustained injuries to his head, hands, shoulders, leg, and nose, while Kamble, who was not wearing a helmet, suffered a severe head injury and fell unconscious. Both were rushed to the Rajawadi Hospital, where doctors declared Kamble brought dead.

The Tilak Nagar police have registered a case based on Sapkal’s complaint. Kamble has been booked posthumously under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act, and the Motor Vehicles (MV) Act, for rash and negligent driving under the influence of alcohol, leading to his own death and injuries to another person.

Continue Reading

Crime

Senior citizen in Bengal’s Dinhata attempts suicide, fearing deletion of name from voters’ list

Published

on

Kolkata, Oct 29: A 60-year old man, Khairul Sheikh, a resident of Dinhata in Cooch Behar district of West Bengal, allegedly tried to commit suicide by consuming poison on Wednesday reportedly out of the fear of getting his name deleted from the voters’ list following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state, the groundwork for which will start from November 4.

His family members have told the police and the media persons that, although the name of Sheikh was in the voters’ list of 2002, the year when the SIR was conducted in West Bengal for the last time, the spelling of his name was incorrect in that list.

According to Shaikh’s family members, he was scared that because of the mistake in the spelling of his name in the 2002 list, his name might be deleted from the voters’ list.

Confirming the development, the new District Police Superintendent, Sandip Karra, told media persons that as per the versions of Sheikh’s family members since the SIR was announced for West Bengal by the ECI earlier this week, he started panicking.

“The police have started an investigation into the matter. He is currently under treatment. We will investigate him after he recovers and get to know from him the reasons behind his act,” Karra said.

Trinamool Congress’ Cooch Behar district president, Avijit Dey, said that the incident is proof of what kind of panic is there among the common people over the SIR.

“What I heard is that some people told Sheikh that because of the mistake in the spelling of his name in the 2022 list, his name will be deleted from the voters’ list following the fresh SIR, and he will also be deported to Bangladesh. Out that fear he tried to commit suicide,” Dey added.

The BJP legislator from Cooch Behar (Uttar) constituency, Sukumar Roy, said that even if the fear factor prompted Sheikh to attempt suicide, Trinamool Congress is responsible for that since the party is responsible for spreading a false sense of fear among people about the SIR.

On Tuesday, a 57-year-old man, identified as Pradeep Kar, committed suicide at Panihati in North 24 Parganas district, reportedly out of fear of being affected by a possible National Register of Citizens (NRC) in West Bengal.

BJP had already raised doubts about whether the suicide note recovered from near his body was actually written by the deceased person and also demanded a proper investigation into the actual reason behind the suicide.

On Tuesday, both the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress’s General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee accused the BJP and the Union government of spreading a sense of fear and division by using NRC as a tool, where people are often made to doubt their own right to existence, the reflection of which was felt in the suicide of Kar.

Since the beginning, Trinamool Congress leadership had been describing the SIR as an indirect ploy by the BJP and the Union government to impose the NRC in West Bengal.

Continue Reading

Trending