The Vanrai police have alleged that the bank accounts of Zia Jacob, 33, an aspiring actor who was arrested from Mira Road in connection with the NESCO music concert drug overdose death case, were used to route payments linked to the alleged drug network operating around the event.
According to police sources, financial transactions between Zia and the arrested accused revealed a clear money trail. She had also allegedly chatted with one of the arrested accused, Ayush Sahitya, online. Police allege that these payments were made online in connection with the purchase and sale of drugs during the concert. Investigations have revealed that Zia was present at the concert where the incident occurred.
Police claim…
1. Zia was in a live-in relationship for the past two years with the main absconding drug supplier, who has reportedly fled abroad.
2. Large-scale transactions amounting to lakhs were observed in her bank accounts.
3. Her personal and household expenses were allegedly funded by the absconding accused.
4. She reportedly had no clear knowledge of his business operations.
Accused’s disclosure
>> Acting on the disclosure of Sahitya, the police on Wednesday recovered 933 pills (approximately 435 grams) valued at Rs 15.49 lakh
>> The drugs were allegedly disposed of near Poladpur while Sahitya was attempting to flee from Mumbai to Goa
>> Though no drugs were found during initial naka checking, Sahitya later confessed to discarding them out of fear of arrest
>> Police said Sahitya had not been fully cooperative, and investigations were ongoing to trace the source of the drugs.
Additional findings
‘Zia was arrested in the Mira-Bhayandar on Wednesday. Sahitya has a previous NDPS case registered at Ulhasnagar police station. The role of other associates, including a bouncer already arrested, is under further probe’
DCP Mahesh Chimte, Zone XII
Court proceedings
>> Patel, Gerelani, Agarwal, Sahitya, and Zia were produced in court on Thursday
>> Zia has been remanded in police custody till April 27
>> Four other accused have been sent to 14 days of judicial custody
>> The arrested bouncer remains in custody till April 24
Police are now focusing on...
>> Tracing the origin of the drug supply chain
>> Tracking the absconding main supplier
>> Further analysing financial transactions linked to the network
Legal eagles
Defence lawyers Jaywant Patil, Surendra Landge, and Azad Gupta highlighted the bank transactions in court, while advocate Ranjita Jain, representing Ayush Sahitya, stated that the recovery was based on alleged disclosures during police interrogation.
Amounts transferred to Zia Jacob by accused, according to the police
Anand Patel — Rs 64,000
Veenit Gerelani — Rs 22,500
Shubh Agarwal — Rs 1,66,400
Ayush Sahitya — Rs 1,84,600
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