Gangs step up arms smuggling

MUMBAI, OCT 14: Crippled by an arms shortage, Mumbai8217;s underworld, particularly the Chhota Shakeel gang, is scouting for foreign-made weapons, claim the police. Since January, the police have seized more than 300 firearms, and gangs have been reduced to scouring country-made weapons market or, Deputy Commissioner of Police crime Sunil Paraskar told Express Newsline.

Crime Branch sleuths on Wednesday evening seized two AK 56 assault rifles, nine Brazilian made .32 bore Rossy8217; revolvers, seven Star type Made in China Norinco pistols and 600 live rounds from the terrace of a flat in Parmeshwari Building at 14th Road, Khar. The consignment was believed to have been smuggled from Dubai to Jamsalia in Gujarat and by land to Mumbai. The contraband was sent by smuggler Haji Ismail Sumaria allegedly at the behest of Karachi-based gangster Chhota Shakeel, said the police.

Police records revealed that Sumaria was already involved in two previous cases in which he is believed to have smuggled gold, wristwatches and cloth.

According to Joint Commissioner of Police crime D Shivanandan, the Chhota Shakeel has become desperate8217; after a spate of arms seizures by the police. The other gangs have also been reduced to using kattas country-made revolvers and choppers in recent months, Shivanandan added.