Mumbai, July 11, 2025 – In a major success for Indian law enforcement, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in collaboration with Mumbai Police and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) of Abu Dhabi, has successfully brought back Kubbawala Mustafa — a wanted fugitive in a high-profile narcotics case — from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The operation marks another milestone in India’s intensified global crackdown on fugitives involved in organized crime and drug trafficking.
Who is Kubbawala Mustafa?
Kubbawala Mustafa is a wanted accused in FIR No. 67/2024 registered at Kurla Police Station, Mumbai. He is believed to be the mastermind behind an international synthetic drug racket operating from abroad, with alleged links to a mephedrone manufacturing unit in Sangli, Maharashtra.
Authorities had recovered and confiscated 126.141 kg of mephedrone, a banned synthetic drug, valued at over ₹2.52 crore, during a raid on the said factory. The case led to the charge-sheeting of Mustafa, following which a Red Corner Notice (RCN) was issued by INTERPOL on 25 November 2024 at the request of Mumbai Police.
How the Operation Unfolded
Step 1: Geo-location in UAE
The subject had been geo-located in the UAE following close coordination between the International Police Cooperation Unit (IPCU) of CBI and NCB-Abu Dhabi through INTERPOL channels.
Step 2: Coordination with UAE Authorities
On 19 June 2025, the NCB-Abu Dhabi officially requested the Indian authorities to send a security team to take custody of Mustafa. This paved the way for a formal repatriation process under INTERPOL cooperation mechanisms.
Step 3: Mumbai Police Deployed
A four-member team from Mumbai Police left for Dubai on 7 July 2025 to escort the accused back. The team successfully returned with Mustafa on 11 July 2025, landing at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai.
Why This Case Matters
This successful extradition underscores India’s commitment to pursue fugitives involved in serious crimes, no matter where they hide. The repatriation of Mustafa not only sends a strong message to drug traffickers but also strengthens cross-border cooperation through INTERPOL.
“CBI, as the National Central Bureau for INTERPOL in India, continues to collaborate with law enforcement agencies globally via BHARATPOL to track and return criminals hiding abroad,” a senior CBI official said.
Role of INTERPOL and Red Corner Notices
INTERPOL Red Notices are alerts issued to law enforcement worldwide, requesting the location and arrest of fugitives pending extradition. In India, the CBI acts as the national nodal agency for INTERPOL and oversees such international police cooperation.
More than 100 fugitives have been brought back to India in the past few years through similar coordination efforts, reflecting the effectiveness of the BHARATPOL platform and India’s strengthened legal diplomacy.
What Happens Next?
Following his return, Kubbawala Mustafa will be produced before the Mumbai Court. The court will now proceed with further legal action, including trial under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Given the scale of the drug operation and the quantity recovered, he may face stringent penalties if convicted.
India’s Ongoing War Against Narcotics
India has been cracking down on synthetic drugs, especially mephedrone, which is increasingly becoming a public health concern due to its wide misuse among youth. The Ministry of Home Affairs and Narcotics Control Bureau have ramped up international collaborations to choke funding, production, and smuggling routes.
This latest development — the deportation of Kubbawala Mustafa — serves as a significant step in dismantling cross-border drug syndicates and ensuring fugitives are brought to justice.
