By Sagaya Fernando | April 30, 2025

Mumbai, India – In a major crackdown on an international drug trafficking operation spanning the United States, Thailand, and India, police in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, have arrested ten individuals, including a senior Customs superintendent and two police constables. Authorities have seized narcotics and assets worth a total of Rs.73.93 lakh (approximately $88,600 USD), exposing deep-rooted corruption within law enforcement and customs departments.

The arrested Customs officer, Prashant Gaur (40), a resident of Kharghar and head of the Western Zone, allegedly facilitated the smooth passage of drug-laden air couriers through customs in exchange for bribes. Gaur reportedly received advance consignment numbers from the cartel and ensured that no scrutiny was applied, allowing packages containing high-potency "hydro ganja" to pass unchecked.

The arrested individuals include: Prashant Gaur (Customs Superintendent), Ashish Gaware (22), Ahmad Olgi (23), Sahil Shabbir Lambe (27), Sujit Bangare (28) - a two-time national hockey player, Kamal Chandwani alias “KK” (56) - alleged identity document forger, Sachin Bhalerao (40) - constable from Kharghar Police Station, Sanjay Phulkar (36) - constable attached to the Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU), Ankit Patel (37), Rinkukumar Patel (39).

The crackdown began on April 14, when officers from the Navi Mumbai Anti-Narcotics Unit, led by Inspector Sandeep Nigade, arrested Gaware and Olgi in Nerul with 1.15 kilograms of traditional ganja and 17.19 grams of hydro ganja. Subsequent interrogations revealed that the drugs were being sourced from the United States and Thailand.

Further investigation led to the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under Navi Mumbai Additional Commissioner of Police Deepak Sakore. The SIT uncovered a complex network in which Bangare ordered the drugs, which were shipped via air couriers using falsified identities created by KK. The consignments first arrived at India Post, then routed to the Customs' Western Zone office—headed by Gaur—who was bribed Rs.1 lakh per kilogram of drugs to clear them.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Amit Kale, the key suspects operating the cartel from abroad are either Naveen Chinchkar or his younger brother Dheeraj Chinchkar. The SIT is still verifying which of the two masterminded the drug operations.

KK created fake Aadhaar cards and posed as the receiver of the couriers, which were later handed over to Bangare. Payment was then made in cash to Ankit and Rinkukumar Patel, who acted as Angadias (traditional cash couriers). In return, they facilitated cryptocurrency transfers in USDT (Tether) to international operatives in the U.S. and Thailand.

The peddlers—Gaware, Olgi, and Lambe—were responsible for street-level distribution in the Navi Mumbai region. Constables Bhalerao and Phulkar, in turn, allegedly provided protection to the cartel. Bhalerao was reportedly in contact with KK for over a year and is believed to have received substantial bribes. Phulkar joined the operation more recently, with both officers having allegedly received payments totaling nearly Rs. 10 lakh.

Among the seized items:

1.15 kg traditional ganja worth Rs.1.01 lakh

136.15 grams hydro ganja worth Rs.13.75 lakh

1.84 grams cocaine worth Rs. 92,000

2 bottles of hydro ganja liquid worth Rs. 4,000

A specialized imported machine for consuming hydro ganja worth Rs. 70,000

Rs. 14.12 lakh in cash, along with multiple mobile phones and vehicles

 Assistant Commissioner of Police Bhausaheb Dhole confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are expected as the authorities work to dismantle the broader distribution and financing networks.

This case highlights the growing sophistication of international drug trafficking networks exploiting courier services and cryptocurrency transactions while relying on local enablers embedded in law enforcement agencies.