NCB busts drug syndicate: NCB busts drug syndicate, arrests kingpin 'Danish Chikna' and his wife from Goa

NCB Busts Drug Syndicate: This action is considered a major success for the NCB in dismantling organized drug networks. The agency has stated that it will continue to take strict action against such criminals.

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has busted an organized drug syndicate in Mumbai. Kingpin Danish Merchant, alias Danish Chikna, and his wife, Hina Bharat Shah, were arrested in Goa. The NCB seized a total of 1.341 kilograms of mephedrone (MD). Four people, including the main conspirators, were arrested in the operation.

Acting on specific intelligence, the NCB intercepted a man named N. Gaikwad in Pune. During a search, he recovered 502 grams of mephedrone. During interrogation, he revealed the location of a storage facility in Mumbai. Acting swiftly, the NCB raided the location, seizing 839 grams of mephedrone. The drugs were recovered from accused Zoheb Shaikh, who was acting on the kingpin's instructions. The investigation also revealed that this location was linked to Danish's wife, Hina Shah, who was a key accomplice in the racket.

 

 

The accused

(Danish and Hina) were secretly operating the drug supply chain, but after the crackdown, they fled and constantly changed their locations, mobile numbers, and vehicles to avoid arrest. Using technical and human intelligence, the NCB team traced their location to a luxury resort in Goa and arrested them on October 25, 2025.

The Kingpin's Criminal History  

Danish Merchant, a resident of Dongri (Mumbai), is a notorious criminal. He was arrested by the NCB-Mumbai in 2021 in a CBCS and marijuana smuggling case. Furthermore, in 2021, the Rajasthan Police also booked him in a drug case, while in 2024, the Mumbai Police arrested him for his involvement in the illegal manufacture of synthetic drugs.

 

Danish has seven criminal cases registered against him with the Mumbai Police, after which he was declared "externed" from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region in 2024. His wife, Hina Bharat Shah, also has a criminal record related to drugs. She was actively involved in the supply and concealment of drugs.

This major NCB action  

is being considered a major success in the NCB's efforts to dismantle organized drug networks. The agency has stated that it will continue to take strict action against criminals who promote drug trafficking in society. The NCB stated, "This campaign is a concrete step towards our vision of a 'Drug-Free India 2047.' We are committed to eliminating such networks to protect public health."