Crime
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
Another Class 12 student found dead in Delhi; suicide suspected

Just days after a Class 12 student died after allegedly immolating herself in East Delhi, another student died by suspected suicide at her residence in Delhi’s Bharat Nagar area, police said on Tuesday.
The body of the Class 12 student was found at her home with a scarf tied around her neck, under the Bharat Nagar police station area. According to the investigators, a preliminary probe suggests it is a case of suicide.
The Bharat Nagar police have taken custody of the body and initiated an investigation into the matter.
Police said that some chat messages have surfaced during the initial probe, indicating that the girl had been under distress.
However, the case is being investigated from all possible angles.
The incident comes days after a Class 12 student died after allegedly pouring an inflammable substance on herself and setting herself on fire at Sarvodaya Bal/Balika Vidyalaya in East Delhi’s Krishna Nagar area.
The recovery of the student’s charred body at Sarvodaya Bal/Balika Vidyalaya triggered panic among teachers and students on the school premises, prompting the authorities to initiate an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the student’s death.
Officials said certain suspicious items were reportedly found in the student’s school bag. However, the nature of these items had not been officially confirmed at the time of filing the report.
According to officials, a Police Control Room (PCR) call reporting a fire incident was received from the school located in the Krishna Nagar area of Delhi’s Shahdara district.
“Upon receipt of the information, police staff from PS Krishna Nagar promptly reached the spot, where an approximately 18-year-old female student of Class 12th was found in a burnt condition behind the school guard room,” officials said.
They further stated that some materials were recovered during the initial proceedings at the scene and from the deceased student’s school bag. These items are being examined as part of the investigation.
The police said a Crime Team of the Delhi Police was called to the school to inspect the scene, examine the circumstances and collect relevant evidence that could help establish the sequence of events leading to the incident.
“The circumstances leading to the incident are being examined, and further enquiry is in progress,” the police said.
Crime
Mumbai Police invokes MCOCA against all accused in Tiger Shroff firing case

The Mumbai Police on Tuesday invoked stringent sections of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against all the accused arrested in connection with the firing incident involving Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff.
An official statement said that provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), 1999 have been invoked in DCB CID CR No. 143/26, registered on 19/10/26 u/Ss 109(1), 3(5) of BNS r/w sections 3, 25 of Arms Act; with permission of the competent authority under Section 23(1)(a) of the said Act dated 27/10/26.
Accordingly, Sections 3(1)(ii), 3(2) and 3(4) of MCOCA have been added to the case against all accused.
A case against the accused was registered by the Mumbai Police on October 19 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act.
Subsequently, the approval to invoke the MCOCA was granted on October 27. Police said that the investigation in the case has been expedited considering the organised crime background linked to it.
Further investigation into the case is currently underway.
Earlier, the Mumbai Crime Branch established the alleged motive behind the firing incident involving Tiger Shroff, stating that the attack was carried out with the objectives of extorting money, establishing the gang’s dominance and creating fear among the public.
According to the Crime Branch’s investigation, the accused allegedly involved in the firing incident have links to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
The police have alleged that the gang targeted Tiger Shroff as part of an attempt to strengthen its influence, intimidate people and secure financial gains through extortion.
The Mumbai Crime Branch has stated that the accused were allegedly operating as active members of an organised crime syndicate.
Investigators believe that the attack was not an isolated act but part of a planned criminal conspiracy intended to achieve financial benefits, assert the gang’s dominance and spread terror within society.
The accused carried out the attack using illegal and lethal weapons as part of a pre-planned conspiracy targeting the star.
The investigation has also revealed that the alleged conspiracy was coordinated through an inter-state network involving several locations, including Delhi and Mumbai.
Crime
Maha Cyber arrests one in 4.97 lakh online share market investment fraud case

One person has been arrested by Maharashtra Cyber in connection with a Rs 4.97 lakh online share market investment fraud case, officials said on Tuesday.
The complaint was filed by 42-year-old Kalyan, who was allegedly induced to invest money through an online trading application after being approached through a social media advertisement and a WhatsApp group operating under the name “Breakthrough Communication”, according to the officials.
As per the complaint, the fraud took place between August 25 and September 23, when Kalyan came across a social media advertisement referring to Susquehanna International Group and subsequently joined a WhatsApp group.
“A person using the name ‘Shikha Sharma’ allegedly contacted the complainant, provided investment-related guidance, and encouraged him to invest in the share market through a trading application. Believing the representations to be genuine, the complainant transferred a total amount of 4.97 lakh into eight different bank accounts,” officials said.
After suspecting financial fraud, Kalyan reported the matter through the National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 on September 27.
Subsequently, an FIR was registered at the Nodal Cyber Police Station, Maharashtra Cyber, under Sections 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), read with Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology (IT) Act.
Officials said that following this, Maharashtra Cyber initiated an investigation to trace the financial transactions and identify the persons involved in facilitating the fraud.
“During the investigation, the police examined the banking trail and the movement of the defrauded funds across multiple accounts. The investigation revealed that the money had moved through various bank accounts,” they added.
According to officials, further inquiry indicated that the funds received in an account belonging to Nikhil Kamble were allegedly withdrawn in cash and handed over to the arrested accused, Mohammed Ali Kapadia, through an intermediary arrangement.
Mohammed Ali Kapadia (23) appeared before the investigating officer on October 26. During questioning, his alleged role in receiving and disposing of cash linked to the fraudulent transactions came under investigation. He was subsequently arrested in connection with the case, officials said.
They added that the investigation further indicates that the accused may have acted in coordination with other persons to facilitate the withdrawal of money generated through cyber fraud.
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