Interpol Red Notice fugitive linked to synthetic drug racket brought back to India in joint CBI-Mumbai Police operation
Alleged drug manufacturer Kubbawala Mustafa, wanted for running a mephedrone factory from abroad, was deported to India from the UAE and taken into custody by Mumbai Police at Mumbai’s international airport. He was the subject of an Interpol Red Notice coordinated by the CBI, reported deccanherald.com.
International Operation Brings Fugitive to Justice
In a coordinated international effort, Indian authorities secured the deportation of Kubbawala Mustafa—an accused synthetic narcotics manufacturer—from the UAE to Mumbai early Friday morning. The 1:00 am arrival at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport marked the end of a months-long effort led by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in partnership with Interpol and NCB-Abu Dhabi.
Mustafa, against whom an open-dated arrest warrant was issued by a special court, was escorted back by a four-member team from the Mumbai police. Officials confirmed that he was taken into immediate custody by the Crime Branch upon landing.
“The International Police Cooperation Unit (IPCU) of CBI, in collaboration with NCB-Abu Dhabi, successfully brought back wanted Red Notice subject Kubbawala Mustafa to India,” a CBI spokesperson said.
Accused of Operating from Abroad
The Mumbai police had previously busted a major synthetic drug factory in Sangli, Maharashtra, where 126.141 kg of mephedrone—commonly known as ‘meow meow’—was seized. Mustafa, they allege, ran the illegal operation from overseas, sourcing raw materials from Ahmedabad and distributing the drug across Gujarat via a network of syndicate members.
Fugitive chemical supplier Kubbawala Mustafa, wanted in a major synthetic drug case, landed in Mumbai under escort following his extradition from the UAE. Mumbai Police had busted his factory in Sangli in 2022.
Mustafa was geo-located in the UAE following close coordination between the CBI, Interpol, and NCB-Abu Dhabi. His extradition was set in motion after the Red Notice was issued on November 25, 2024, following a request by Mumbai Police.
On June 19, 2025, UAE authorities officially requested a security escort mission, clearing the path for Mustafa’s deportation to India. He now faces multiple charges under India’s narcotics laws.
Ongoing Crackdown on International Drug Syndicates
The case against Mustafa and others was originally registered at Kurla Police Station. Officials believe Mustafa played a critical role as the material and chemical supplier for high-grade synthetic stimulants, reinforcing his status as a key figure in India’s cross-border drug manufacturing network.
Authorities say this successful extradition underscores India’s growing cooperation with international enforcement agencies to combat synthetic drug trafficking and hold absconding fugitives accountable.
