New Delhi: In a significant breakthrough in cross-border criminal enforcement, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has successfully brought back Kubbawala Mustafa, a key accused in a major narcotics case, from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The operation was coordinated through INTERPOL channels in collaboration with NCB-Abu Dhabi, reinforcing India’s growing success in international law enforcement cooperation.
Kubbawala Mustafa, a fugitive wanted by the Mumbai Police in a major synthetic drug manufacturing case, was located in the UAE following continuous intelligence coordination and geo-tracking by the CBI’s International Police Cooperation Unit (IPCU). The Red Notice against Mustafa had been issued by INTERPOL on November 25, 2024, at the request of the Mumbai Police.
A four-member Mumbai Police team travelled to Dubai on July 7, 2025, following formal clearance from UAE authorities. The mission, backed by diplomatic and legal channels, resulted in the successful handover of Mustafa.
The team, along with the accused, returned to Mumbai on July 11, 2025, landing at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Mustafa is a prime accused in a 2024 case registered under FIR No. 67/2024 at the Kurla Police Station, Mumbai.
According to investigators, he was allegedly running a synthetic drug production unit based in Sangli, Maharashtra, while residing abroad. The illegal factory was busted as part of a joint operation, leading to the recovery of 126.141 kilograms of Mephedrone — a potent synthetic stimulant — with an estimated street value of ₹2.522 crore.
Authorities revealed that Mustafa had been charge-sheeted in the case and a non-bailable, open-dated arrest warrant was issued against him by the competent court. His location in the UAE was confirmed after extensive coordination between Indian and Emirati agencies through INTERPOL.
NCB-Abu Dhabi, after tracing the accused, formally conveyed on June 19, 2025, that UAE authorities were ready to facilitate his deportation, provided India sent a dedicated security team to escort him back.
The return of Kubbawala Mustafa marks a crucial win in India’s campaign against global drug networks. The case also exemplifies the effective use of INTERPOL Red Notices in bringing fugitives to justice.
Red Notices are internationally distributed alerts for persons wanted by national jurisdictions, allowing member countries to locate and provisionally arrest individuals pending extradition or similar legal action.
CBI, functioning as India’s National Central Bureau (NCB) for INTERPOL, has been actively enhancing its international cooperation through the BHARATPOL platform — a national mechanism for real-time coordination with Indian law enforcement agencies via INTERPOL.
Over the last few years, more than 100 wanted individuals have been successfully traced and brought back to India using these mechanisms.
The CBI continues to coordinate closely with INTERPOL and international partners in the pursuit of fugitives involved in organized crime, including drug trafficking, financial fraud, terrorism, and cybercrime.
This latest operation further highlights India’s firm stance on tackling transnational drug crimes and underscores the importance of timely intelligence exchange and cooperation among global agencies.
As Kubbawala Mustafa faces the Indian judicial process, authorities reiterate their commitment to dismantling global narcotics networks and ensuring that absconding criminals face the full extent of the law.
