In a major breakthrough against the international narcotics network linked to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim’s syndicate, the Mumbai Police have arrested Mohammed Salim Suhail Shaikh alias Lavish, a Dubai-based aide of Dawood’s trusted associate Salim Dola. The arrest is in connection with a R252-crore mephedrone (MD) manufacturing racket busted earlier this year in Sangli district.

Officials said Shaikh, who had been hiding in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since 2024, was arrested with the help of central agencies, following the issuance of a red-corner notice (RCN). After completing legal formalities in the UAE, he was extradited to India and arrested on October 22. He was produced in court, which remanded him in police custody till October 30.