Delhi Police arrest 16 in Operation Kavach-14.0 drug crackdown
Synopsis
Delhi Police's Operation Kavach-14.0 netted 16 accused and over 32 kg of narcotics — including cocaine and MDMA — across West District in a single enforcement sweep. With 13 NDPS cases registered and investigations ongoing to trace upstream supply chains, the operation signals an intensifying push against street-level and distribution-tier drug networks in the capital.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Police arrested 16 accused persons , including two women , under Operation Kavach-14.0 in West District on 28 June 2026 .
13 NDPS cases were registered across multiple police stations including Punjabi Bagh , Rajouri Garden , Tilak Nagar , Khyala , and Vikas Puri .
Recoveries included 32.161 kg of ganja , 89.77 grams of smack , 9.8 grams of cocaine , and 6.62 grams of MDMA .
The largest single seizure — 23.160 kg of ganja (commercial quantity) — led to the arrest of four accused under FIR No.
An auto-rickshaw, a scooter, a mobile phone, and ₹1,450 in cash were also recovered.
Further investigation is underway to apprehend others involved in the narcotics supply chain.
Delhi Police arrested 16 accused persons, including two women, and seized significant quantities of narcotics during a targeted enforcement drive under Operation Kavach-14.0 in the city's West District, according to a police statement issued on Sunday, 28 June 2026. The operation, aimed at dismantling narcotics supply networks, resulted in the registration of 13 NDPS cases across multiple police stations.
Key Recoveries and Arrests
Dedicated teams from the Anti-Narcotics Squad (ANS), Special Staff, and police stations across the West District conducted intelligence-based raids and surveillance operations targeting drug peddlers and traffickers. The combined haul included 32.161 kg of ganja, 89.77 grams of smack, 9.8 grams of cocaine, and 6.62 grams of MDMA. Authorities also recovered one auto-rickshaw, one scooter, one mobile phone, and ₹1,450 in cash.
Case-by-Case Breakdown
In the largest single seizure, the ANS registered FIR No. 314/2026 under Sections 20(c)/29 of the NDPS Act at Punjabi Bagh police station, arresting four accused — Mithun Kumar, Vikram Kumar, Sanjay Yadav, and Md. Rizwan — with 23.160 kg of ganja (commercial quantity) recovered from their possession.
In a separate ANS case (FIR No. 265/2026) at Rajouri Garden police station, accused Ram Kumar was arrested with 6.62 grams of MDMA and one auto-rickshaw. The Special Staff registered FIR No. 268/2026 at the same station, apprehending one accused with 9.8 grams of cocaine and a scooter.
Four additional cases were detected across police stations in Tilak Nagar, Punjabi Bagh, Khyala, and Vikas Puri, resulting in the recovery of approximately 89.77 grams of smack and the arrest of four more individuals. Several further cases involving ganja recoveries were also registered at various West District police stations.
What the Police Said
The West District Police stated that the sustained action under Operation Kavach-14.0 reflects 'the commitment of the West District Police towards eliminating the drug menace and dismantling narcotics supply chains through intelligence-led policing and coordinated enforcement.' Officials confirmed that further investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend others linked to the trafficking networks.
Context and What Comes Next
Operation Kavach-14.0 is the latest iteration of an ongoing Delhi Police anti-narcotics initiative operating under a stated zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking. The West District operation is part of a broader, city-wide enforcement pattern that has seen successive rounds of Kavach operations target supply chains at the street and distribution level. Investigators are continuing to pursue leads to trace the upstream sources of the seized narcotics, particularly given the commercial quantity of ganja recovered in the primary case.
Point of View
But the more telling metric is what happens upstream. Street-level and distribution-tier seizures — however large — rarely collapse a supply chain unless they lead to the financiers and interstate transporters behind them. The commercial-quantity ganja case, involving four accused and over 23 kg, is the thread investigators need to pull. Whether Delhi Police can convert these 13 FIRs into prosecutions that reach the supply network's higher rungs will determine whether Kavach is a deterrent or a recurring headline.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Operation Kavach-14.0?
Operation Kavach-14.0 is an ongoing Delhi Police anti-narcotics enforcement drive aimed at dismantling narcotics supply networks and curbing drug trafficking across the city. It is the 14th iteration of the Kavach series, operating under a stated zero-tolerance policy against narcotic drugs.
How many people were arrested in the West District drug operation?
Delhi Police arrested 16 accused persons, including two women, during the Operation Kavach-14.0 drive in West District on 28 June 2026. A total of 13 NDPS cases were registered across multiple police stations.
What drugs were seized during Operation Kavach-14.0 in West District?
Authorities seized 32.161 kg of ganja, 89.77 grams of smack, 9.8 grams of cocaine, and 6.62 grams of MDMA. An auto-rickshaw, a scooter, a mobile phone, and ₹1,450 in cash were also recovered.
Who were the key accused arrested in the largest case?
The largest seizure — 23.160 kg of ganja classified as commercial quantity — led to the arrest of four accused: Mithun Kumar, Vikram Kumar, Sanjay Yadav, and Md. Rizwan, under FIR No. 314/2026 at Punjabi Bagh police station.
Is the investigation into the drug network still ongoing?
Yes, Delhi Police confirmed that further investigation in all 13 cases is in progress to identify and apprehend other persons involved in drug trafficking, particularly those linked to the upstream supply chains.
