Dawood's right hand man Iqbal Mirchi held in London

NEW DELHI: Iqbal Memon alias 'Iqbal Mirchi', considered to be the right-hand man of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, was arrested in the UK on Tuesday.

61-year-old Memon, who is wanted by Mumbai police in connection with cases related to drug pedlling and 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, was arrested in London by the police for an incidence of crime.

According to CBI, Memon, against whom an Interpol Red Corner Notice was pending since 1994, was interrogated by the London Police.

CBI sources said they would approach the UK police through the Interpol and diplomatic channels to seek his extradition or deportation to India.

Iqbal Mirchi began his career in the underworld as a smuggler and become a big player in drug peddling around mid-1980s. A consignment of over 80 lakh Mandrax tablets dispatched by him was seized.

He acquired the moniker, Mirchi, from his family's traditional business in red chilli powder. Most of his wealth has found its way into real estate.

After his escape from Mumbai, he is alleged to have been dividing his time between Dubai and London.

He was earlier detained in London but the UK authorities had turned down India's request for his extradition at that point of time.

However, this time, the sources said, they were hopeful of making a headway with more evidence against him that will be provided by the Mumbai police.