Delhi Police Make the Largest Drug Bust in the City’s History
In a groundbreaking operation, Delhi Police have seized a whopping 570kg of cocaine, valued at over Rs65 billion (£643m) in the international market. This significant haul represents the largest drug bust ever recorded in the national capital and is linked to an international narcotics cartel.
The seized Colombian cocaine was destined to be distributed at four major upcoming concerts and music festivals in Delhi, Mumbai, and Goa between this month and March next year, according to police sources. The Delhi Police Special Cell apprehended four individuals in connection with the bust after an intensive three-month-long investigation. Alongside the cocaine, law enforcement officers also recovered 40kg of marijuana during the raids.
The Special Cell police commissioner, RP Upadhayay, confirmed that the raids were still ongoing as of Wednesday. The total haul of Colombian cocaine, amounting to 562kg, has a market value of Rs65 billion, as reported by The Times of India. The trafficking route involved smuggling cocaine from countries in South America through the Middle East, with the marijuana sourced from Thailand and transported to various states in India before reaching Delhi.
The investigation into this drug trafficking network commenced in August following intelligence reports from central agencies. Authorities were alerted to a “significant consignment of cocaine set to be distributed in Delhi by an international drug cartel with connections to the Middle East,” an official disclosed. A dedicated team was formed to delve into the case and identify the members of the criminal group.
In October, the focus shifted to Delhi businessman Tushar Goyal, who was allegedly storing the illicit consignment in his godown in Mahipalpur near the international airport. A subsequent raid of the godown led to the discovery of the contraband, implicating Mr. Goyal, 41, as the primary recipient and distributor of the cartel’s operations in India. The other individuals accused in the case are Auranzeb Siddiqui, 23, Goyal’s driver; Himanshu Kumar, 27, responsible for distribution in Delhi and surrounding regions; and Bharat Jain, 48, tasked with drug distribution in Mumbai.
The high-quality hydroponic cannabis sourced from Thailand was identified as the marijuana recovered, while efforts continue to ascertain the origin of the cocaine. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities strive to dismantle the drug network operating across multiple states in India.