New Delhi: Iqbal Memon alias 'Iqbal Mirchi',
considered to be the right-hand man of underworld don Dawood
Ibrahim, was arrested in the UK on Tuesday.
61-year-old Memon, who is wanted by Mumbai police in
connection with cases related to drug peddling and 1993 Mumbai
serial blasts, was arrested in London by the police for an
incidence of crime.
According to CBI, Memon, against whom an Interpol red
corner notice was pending since 1994, was interrogated by the
London police.
CBI sources said they would approach the UK police
through the Interpol and diplomatic channels to seek his
extradition or deportation to India.
Iqbal Mirchi began his career in the underworld as a
smuggler and become a big player in drug peddling around
mid-1980s. A consignment of over 80 lakh Mandrax tablets
dispatched by him was seized.
He acquired the moniker, Mirchi, from his family’s
traditional business in red chilli powder. Most of his wealth
has found its way into real estate.
After his escape from Mumbai, he is alleged to have been
dividing his time between Dubai and London.
He was earlier detained in London but the UK authorities
had turned down India's request for his extradition at that
point of time.
However, this time, the sources said, they were hopeful
of making a headway with more evidence against him that will
be provided by the Mumbai police.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, October 11, 2011, 20:38