The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) orchestrated the deportation of Kubbawala Mustafa from the UAE, a wanted individual by the Mumbai Police in a narcotics case.
The CBI’s International Police Cooperation Unit (IPCU), in partnership with NCB-Abu Dhabi, ensured the return of Kubbawala Mustafa to India on July 11. Mustafa was the subject of an INTERPOL Red Notice. A four-member team from the Mumbai Police traveled to Dubai on July 7 to bring Mustafa back. They arrived at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai, on Friday. The CBI, working through INTERPOL and NCB-Abu Dhabi, had earlier located Mustafa in the UAE.
Mustafa is wanted by the Mumbai Police in relation to FIR No. 67/2024, filed at Kurla Police Station, Mumbai, concerning the operation of a Synthetic Drug Manufacturing Factory in Sangli from a foreign location. A total of 126.141 kg of Mephedrone drugs, worth Rs 2.522 million, were seized from the factory connected to Mustafa and others. Mustafa has been charged, and an arrest warrant has been issued by the Court.
The CBI requested INTERPOL to issue a Red Notice in this case on November 25, 2024, following a request from the Mumbai Police. On June 19, 2025, NCB-Abu Dhabi relayed that their authorities were ready to send a security mission to facilitate Mustafa’s return.
Subsequently, a Mumbai Police team was formed to bring Mustafa back from the UAE.
Red Notices are circulated by INTERPOL to all global Law Enforcement Agencies for tracking wanted criminals.
As the National Central Bureau for INTERPOL in India, the CBI coordinates with all Law Enforcement Agencies in India through BHARATPOL, employing INTERPOL channels. In recent years, over 100 wanted criminals have been repatriated to India through these coordinated INTERPOL efforts.