Delhi Police Uncover Massive ₹2,000 Crore Cocaine Syndicate in Major Drug Bust
In a significant development, Delhi Police uncovered a massive drug haul valued at ₹2,000 crore, concealed in packets of namkeen (a savory snack), from a warehouse in Ramesh Nagar, Delhi. The seizure of around 200 kilograms of cocaine adds to an already mounting drug case that previously led to the recovery of 560 kg of cocaine just days earlier. The combined value of the two drug busts has now surpassed ₹7,000 crore in international markets, marking one of the largest drug seizures in recent times.
The police operation, led by Delhi Police’s Special Cell, resulted in the arrest of Akhlaq, a man from Hapur, Uttar Pradesh. Akhlaq is believed to have been responsible for transporting the drugs from the Hapur area to the capital. The investigation has revealed that the mastermind behind this drug network is a UK national, who has since absconded. The cocaine was stored in a closed shop in Ramesh Nagar, which had been rented out by the foreign national, adding an international dimension to the case.
According to police reports, this drug haul is linked to a larger syndicate run by a Delhi-based businessman who currently resides in Dubai. The syndicate has deep roots in the international drug trade, with cocaine being shipped from South America to India via Dubai. The cartel allegedly uses old cargo ships to transport large quantities of drugs, a method intended to avoid detection. The head of this cartel, identified as Virender Basoiya, first came into contact with some of the key suspects during a previous incarceration in Tihar jail, and he continues to orchestrate the drug network from abroad.
As more details emerge, it has become clear that the drugs were packaged in deceptive containers labelled as “Chatpata Mixture” to avoid suspicion. The use of common, everyday products like snack packets is a method frequently employed by traffickers to smuggle drugs, and in this instance, it helped to delay detection for a significant amount of time. The UK national, identified as a key handler in this case, was reportedly tasked with overseeing the distribution of the drugs to various sub-handlers across different regions. However, he fled India shortly before the police could apprehend him, leaving the police to track down his associates in the country.
Earlier in the same operation, 15 kilograms of cocaine were recovered from three individuals – Tushar Goyal, Himanshu, and Aurangzeb – who were caught red-handed while attempting to deliver the drugs to a receiver. Additional quantities of marijuana and cocaine were also discovered in a godown in the Mahipalpur Extension area of Delhi, where the accused had been operating.
Investigators are working on connecting the dots between the two major busts, as it is believed that both consignments are part of a single, extensive drug trafficking operation. Police have also tracked a vehicle linked to the drug operation using GPS technology, revealing further intricate planning behind the transportation of the narcotics. The syndicate’s use of multiple handlers and local operatives to manage different parts of the operation has complicated the investigation, but the authorities are now narrowing in on key figures involved in the supply chain.
The individuals arrested in connection with these busts are not new to the world of drug trafficking. Many of them, including Bharat Jain from Kurla West, Mumbai, have previous records of involvement in such illegal activities. Jain was identified as a receiver who had been working in close collaboration with the cartel, ensuring that the drugs reached their final destinations.
The seizure of such a large quantity of drugs in such a short period highlights the growing challenge posed by drug trafficking networks operating across international borders. The Delhi Police continue to conduct follow-up raids and investigations, aiming to dismantle the entire operation and bring all those involved to justice. This case has also raised concerns about the increasing role of foreign nationals in drug-related crimes in India and the need for tighter border controls and cooperation between international law enforcement agencies to combat the global drug trade effectively.