Author: Agencies
Publication: The Express India
Date: October 11, 2011
URL: http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Dawoods-righthand-man-Iqbal-Mirchi-held-in-London/858573/
Iqbal Memon, alias 'Iqbal Mirchi', considered
to be the right-hand man of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, was arrested in
the UK today.
61-year-old Memon, who is wanted by Mumbai
police in connection with cases related to drug pedlling 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.
