In a major breakthrough, the Mumbai Crime Branch has foiled an alleged criminal conspiracy in the city by arresting three suspected operatives linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and seizing foreign-made sophisticated firearms and ammunition from their possession.
The Crime Branch’s Anti-Extortion Cell (AEC) conducted a special late-night operation in the CSMT area on Friday, leading to the arrest of Golu alias Arbaz (34) from Jhalawar in Rajasthan, and Jasnpreet Mangal Singh (24) and Sukhwinder (24), both residents of Punjab.
Police recovered three Chinese-made advanced pistols, magazines, and 45 live cartridges from the accused.
According to investigators, preliminary findings suggest that the trio had arrived in Mumbai to deliver the consignment of illegal weapons. Authorities are now probing the intended recipients of the firearms and whether a major attack or targeted crime was being planned.
Crime Branch Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajtilak Roshan said the investigation is being carried out from all possible angles.
Police sources said Arbaz has a criminal history with 19 cases registered against him in Rajasthan’s Jhalawar district. Meanwhile, Jasnpreet and Sukhwinder are wanted in connection with a 2022 murder case in Patiala, Punjab, where they allegedly killed a man following a minor altercation.
Both also reportedly face cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances
(NDPS) Act.
Based on a confidential tip-off, the Anti-Extortion Cell launched a surveillance and interception operation after receiving intelligence that suspects from outside Maharashtra were arriving in South Mumbai with a large cache of illegal weapons.
On May 22 at around 10:45 pm, a police team laid a trap near St George Hospital on P.D. Mello Road, close to the route leading to the Eastern Freeway.
After some time, three suspicious individuals arrived at the location and were seen apparently waiting for someone while communicating through gestures. Police swiftly surrounded the suspects and detained them.
A subsequent search of their bags and clothing led to the seizure of the firearms and ammunition. During questioning, the accused failed to produce any valid licences or documents for possessing the weapons.
An investigating officer said the recovered pistols are Chinese-made and equipped with advanced mechanisms, often associated with organised crime networks and gang conflicts.
Investigators suspect the accused may have been working for the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and were potentially preparing to execute a serious criminal conspiracy in Mumbai.
Police said Jasnpreet and Sukhwinder had been in Mumbai for the past few days, while Arbaz arrived by train from Rajasthan before meeting them. However, the exact source of the weapons remains under investigation.
Officials are now examining the accused’s criminal backgrounds, gang affiliations, and local contacts in Mumbai to trace the larger supply network.
Sources said investigators are also exploring whether the weapons were intended for a businessman, builder, film industry personality, or a rival gang member.
Given recent concerns over gangster activity in Mumbai, officials described the arrests as significant.
A case has been registered at Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Marg Police Station under relevant sections for illegal possession of firearms and violation of the Mumbai Police Commissioner’s prohibitory orders.
Further investigation is underway.
