In a major breakthrough in the ongoing fake weapons licence investigation, Surat Crime Branch arrested Mukesh Rabari (33), a businessman from Kadi, Mehsana, who was on the wanted list for purchasing arms with a fake licence procured from Nagaland.
Mukesh Rabari is the 11th accused apprehended in the large cartel responsible for acquiring firearms using counterfeit licences. Last month, authorities had arrested the owner of Gajanand Gunhouse in Katargam, alongside three others — Dilip Roy, Kalpesh Mangukiya, and Meru Bela — who were involved in purchasing weapons from the main accused, Patel.
During raids, police seized 20 weapons, 93 cartridges, and four fake weapons licences. A total of 13 individuals remain wanted as part of this sprawling scam, which has traced 51 weapons across various states.
Investigations revealed that fake licence documents were sent to the Police Commissioner’s Office in Dimapur via courier, allowing licences to be issued without physical verification. Key associate Sela Boliya of Kamrej procured fake licences from Nagaland with assistance from Haryana’s Asif.
The Crime Branch identified 11 buyers linked to Patel and has arrested all 11 suspects so far, intensifying efforts to dismantle this illegal arms network.
