Delhi police have seized Grade-A Colombian cocaine worth over Rs 6,500 crore in the international market, arresting four key members of a cartel. NEW DELHI: In the biggest-ever drug bust in Delhi and north India, the city police’s special cell has seized Grade-A Colombian cocaine worth over Rs 6,500 crore in the international market. Four key members of the cartel, including its point person in India, have been arrested. The raids are ongoing, special commissioner R P Upadhayay said on Wednesday.
The cocaine had been stockpiled at a godown in Mahipalpur and was meant to be supplied at four big upcoming concerts and music festivals in Delhi, Mumbai and Goa between this month and next March, police sources said.
“The cocaine would have been couriered to users, concealed in cardboard boxes containing shirts,” Upadhyay said.
The kingpin of the module has been located in Dubai and efforts are underway to nab him and bring him back, the sources said.
The cartel has been supplying cocaine, smuggled from Latin and central American nations such as Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and Mexico, to college students, working professionals and rich businessmen in Delhi and Mumbai.
Special Cell sleuths tracked suspects for three months
The special cell received intelligence input from a central agency in the first week of Aug regarding the module’s activities. A team led by additional CP (special cell) Pramod Singh Kushwaha meticulously worked on the information for over three months, identifying members of the gang and keeping their activities under discreet surveillance.
“On Oct 1, the team received specific information about the arrival of a large consignment of drugs at the godown owned by Tushar Goyal, the points person. Subsequently, cops seized the cocaine and also 40 kg of hydroponic marijuana worth Rs 2.5 crore,” Kushwaha said, adding Goyal was the main receiver and distributer of drugs supplied by the cartel.
The approximate value of the recovered cocaine in international market is Rs 12 crore per kg, while the hydroponic marijuana costs Rs 60 lakh a kg.
Apart from Goyal, a resident of Vasant Enclave, Himanshu Kumar from Hind Vihar, Aurangzeb Siddiqui from UP’s Deoria and Bharat Kumar Jain from Mumbai’s Kurla West were arrested.
“A graduate from IP University, Goyal’s family runs two publications in Delhi. After completing his studies, he took over the business. Following his marriage in 2008, he ventured into real estate and allegedly joined forces with a Dubai-based cartel,” DCP Amit Kaushik said.
Himanshu, Goyal’s enforcer, left studies after Class XII and used to work as a fitness enthusiast before becoming a bouncer and security personnel. His physical presence and intimidation tactics made him an asset to the cartel. Siddiqui worked as a driver for Goyal’s household, gaining trust and access to the family’s inner circle. His loyalty and insider knowledge made him invaluable to Goyal. Jain brought Mumbai underworld connections to the Delhi cartel.
City Police have launched an investigation, revealing the intricate web of relationships between these individuals.
“The arrest of these alleged drug traffickers marks a major breakthrough in the efforts of the special cell to disrupt and dismantle organised crime syndicates involved in drug trafficking. The seizure of such a large quantity of narcotics substances have dealt a significant blow to the international drug trade,” Upadhyay added.
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Publish date : 2024-10-02 15:37:00
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