Crime branch seizes 6.5 tonnes of beef worth Rs 14 lakh from Dharavi godown

Photo: Representational

In a major crackdown, the Unit 3 of Mumbai crime branch on Friday raided a godown in Dharavi and seized 6.5 tonnes of meat and organs of cow and bull worth Rs 14 lakh.

According to the officials, the beeves were to be packed and exported to Vietnam. Police have said that the godown belonged to a meat export company called AQ Brothers, who have allegedly been exporting beef for the past 10 years.

Three people were held in connection with the case. The accused were identified as Shamshad Azad Qureshi, Ashrafali Bakreidan Miya and Mohammed Sartaj Kalu Qureshi.

The trio has been booked under Sections 5 (A) (1) (2) – 5A which pertains to prohibition on transport and export of cow, bull or bullock for slaughter and 5(c), 5 (d) and 9 (a) of the MA Preservation (Amendment) Act, 1995.

After the state government imposed a ban on cow slaughter, it is illegal in Maharashtra to even possess and consume the meat.