Gandhinagar, June 16 (IANS) The Gujarat CID Crime’s Cyber Centre of Excellence has arrested a 13th accused in an ongoing investigation into an alleged international network involving cryptocurrency-based terror financing, dark web-linked drug trafficking and cross-border financial transactions exceeding Rs 226 crore, officials said on Tuesday.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Rajdeepsinh Jhala said the unit had earlier exposed a syndicate involved in crypto transactions linked to terror-financing channels, a United Kingdom-based drug network, and dark web operations.

“Further investigation led to the arrest of Shabbarhusen Padele, aged 35, a resident of Sarkhej in Ahmedabad,” he said.

SP Jhala noted that the accused was part of a broader network in which “dirty crypto” linked to terror financing channels was being routed through multiple operators and converted into USDT and cash.

He stated that Mohammad Zubair Poptiya, currently based in Dubai, was identified as a key figure in the network, with funds allegedly flowing through cryptocurrency wallets operated in coordination with other accused persons.

According to him, Shabbar played a role in converting such crypto assets into cash, and investigators traced transactions through wallets linked to earlier-arrested accused Zeeshan Siraj Motiwala, a relative of Zubair and arrested from Mumbai.

Officials said these wallets were used to facilitate the conversion of crypto assets suspected of being linked to the wider network. “The investigation also revealed the use of Monero and Binance-linked wallets within the syndicate,” officials said.

SP Jhala stated that these wallets were part of a structured system involving Mohsin Molani, Salman Ansari and others, who were allegedly engaged in facilitating drug-related transactions linked to the United Kingdom.

Officials said Mohsin Molani was responsible for receiving drug orders from UK-based customers through dark web platforms and Telegram channels, which were then routed to UK-based handlers.

“Salman Ansari and associates were allegedly involved in distributing narcotics within the United Kingdom using postal services, including Royal Mail, as part of the network’s logistics chain,” officials told IANS.

Shabbar had also created an Instagram account under the handle “UK_MEDICINEONWHEEL”, which was allegedly used to identify and communicate with drug customers in the United Kingdom.

“The accused coordinated with Mohsin Molani and operated a courier-based arrangement through which drug consignments were linked to UK-based associates, including Salman Ansari,” officials said.

Officials further stated that payments in the network were routed through cryptocurrency channels after drug transactions were completed.

They said Shabbar’s role included both facilitation of communication with buyers and involvement in the financial conversion chain.

According to officials, the accused had both direct and indirect contact within the network, sometimes communicating with Mohammad Zubair Poptiya directly, and at other times routing transactions through Mohsin Molani and Salman Ansari.

Investigators said this indicated a compartmentalised structure in which different individuals handled ordering, coordination and delivery separately.

Officials further confirmed to IANS that Shabbar is the owner of a courier company in Ahmedabad and that his international consignment activities are under examination.

However, they clarified that there is no conclusive evidence at this stage directly linking the courier business to drug shipments, and that the investigation is focused on digital evidence, including Instagram communications and cryptocurrency transaction trails.

“The accused was traced during the investigation after allegedly attempting to evade arrest, moving between Hyderabad and Goa before being apprehended in Goa. Records indicate that the accused had briefly travelled to Dubai after the offence was registered and later returned,” officials told IANS.

Officials said the financial scope of the case remains under review and may increase beyond Rs 226 crore as additional cryptocurrency wallets and transactions are analysed.

A mobile phone was seized from the arrested accused. The case has been registered under Sections 111(2)(B), 153 and 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act, 2008.

–IANS

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