Here’s why Mumbai Police summoned influencer Orry in Rs 252 crore drugs case

New Delhi: Social media influencer Orhan Awatramani, better known as Orry, has been summoned by the Mumbai Police's Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) in connection with a Rs 252 crore drug bust.

Orry was asked to appear for questioning at the ANC's Ghatkopar unit at 10 am on Thursday.

The case traces back to March 2024, when Mumbai Police raided a mephedrone (MD) manufacturing facility on a farm in Maharashtra's Sangli district, seizing 126.14 kg of the synthetic drug valued at approximately Rs 252 crore. 

The operation was allegedly masterminded by fugitive drug trafficker Salim Dola and his son Taher, with raw materials sourced from a Surat-based associate. 

The probe originated from an August 2022 arrest in Nagpada, which unraveled a broader syndicate involving drug transportation in luxury vehicles like Mercedes and BMWs and money laundering through hawala channels overseas.

Orry's name emerged during the interrogation of Mohammad Salim Mohammad Suhail Shaikh, alias Lavish, a key aide to Dola who was arrested in Dubai and deported to India on November 5.

Shaikh, accused of coordinating drug peddlers and supplying production materials across states, allegedly revealed details of lavish, drug-fueled parties in Dubai and Mumbai attended by Bollywood celebrities and public figures.

Among those named were actors Nora Fatehi and Shraddha Kapoor, producer duo Abbas-Mustan, rapper Loka, politician Zeeshan Siddique, and underworld figure Dawood Ibrahim's nephew Alishah Parkar. 

Police sources emphasised that the claims are under verification, and Orry's summoning is to clarify any potential involvement, with no direct allegations of drug use or trafficking leveled against him yet.

Authorities plan to decide on questioning others based on evidence from his statement. 

However, Orry did not appear for questioning on Thursday, instead requesting a postponement until after November 25, citing that he is currently out of the city. This development comes amid reports of him being spotted enjoying a Travis Scott concert in Mumbai, where he was seen singing, dancing, and recording videos in a carefree manner.

The apparent contradiction of attending a local event while claiming absence from the city has not been addressed by Orry or police officials as of now.

This is not Orry's first brush with the law. In March 2024, he faced an FIR in Jammu and Kashmir for allegedly consuming alcohol at a hotel near the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, violating local religious norms.