MUMBAI
NCP Chief spokesperson and Minority Affair Minister Nawab Malik on Tuesday made yet another expose in the Cordelia cruise drug bust case by bringing in the involvement of a Russian mafia operating in Goa in the drug trade.
“The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) zonal director Sameer Dawood Wankhede has his jurisdiction in Goa also. People all over the world know that drug tourism takes place in Goa. The Russian mafia is dealing in drugs. However, no action is being taken in Goa as the drug racket runs through Fashion TV head Kashiff Khan who enjoys a close relationship with Wankhede. Khan is a member of Wankhede’s private army,’’ he alleged. He demanded answers from NCB and Wankhede.
Malik accused Wankhede and Kashiff Khan of being linked with the Russian mafia engaged in the drug business in Goa. “Kashiff Khan is now being protected as many cases were lodged against him. He is also declared an ‘absconder’ by a court,’’ said Malik.
Malik continued his tirade against Wankhede and shared WhatsApp chat and purported audio and video clips between KP Gosavi (who is a witness in the cruise drug bust case and currently in jail in Pune in connection with a case filed in 2018 there) and a Delhi based informer in connection with Cordelia drug bust case in which Kashiff Khan was mentioned.
Malik said a Delhi-based informer had sent some photos and details of a couple of persons, including Kashiff Khan prior to the NCB raid on Cordelia Cruise ship on October 2.
“These pictures were sent to KP Gosavi and Wankhede. Kashiff Khan and others enjoyed the rave party aboard the ship, but they were not detained and given a ‘safe passage.’ Why was Kashiff Khan not detained or questioned or arrested? What is the reason for protecting him? The NCB and Wankhede will have to reply,” Malik said. He alleged that people were identified and they were allegedly trapped in the case.
Malik reiterated that the Cordelia cruise drug bust was fake and it was a matter of ransom.
According to Malik, in the WhatsApp chat, KP Gosavi was informing about Kashif Khan and White Dubey operating from the UAE. He announced that he will share more Whatsapp chats in future.
“KP Gosavi is asking him to send photos including that of Khashiff Khan. Why Kashif Khan was not identified in the same way that people were identified on the basis of photos. Why Kashiff Khan was let loose?’’ he asked.
Malik claimed that Khan is currently in Goa and wanted in many cases. Four days ago, a case of fraud was registered in Mumbai. “But why Wankhede has not summoned him for probe. The call detail records of all of them should be checked by the NCB,’’ he said.
