How did Delhi Police apprehend the mastermind of drug trafficking after six years?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Jameel Ahmad, the mastermind of a drug trafficking syndicate, was arrested after six years on the run.
- The Delhi Police's Anti-Narcotics Task Force played a crucial role in this significant breakthrough.
- The operation is part of the broader efforts under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.
- Ahmad's network was linked to the procurement of 500 kg of ganja from Odisha.
- The arrest highlights ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking across states.
New Delhi, May 29 (NationPress) In a significant development, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of the Delhi Police Crime Branch has apprehended Jameel Ahmad, the presumed mastermind behind a substantial drug trafficking operation, after he had been evading capture for six years, the police announced on Thursday.
Ahmad's capture signifies a pivotal achievement in the Delhi Police's relentless effort against narcotics under its 'Zero Tolerance' initiative and the overarching goals of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA).
This case traces back to June 2019 when the former Narcotics Cell (now ANTF) of the Crime Branch confiscated 500 kg of ganja from a truck at Metcalfe Bus Stand, Kashmere Gate. Three individuals—Aslam Khan and Mausam Khan, both hailing from Nuh district in Haryana, as well as Jakam Khan from Alwar, Rajasthan—were arrested in connection with the shipment.
During their questioning, they divulged that the ganja was sourced from Odisha at the direction of Jameel Ahmad, a resident of Pinangwan village in Nuh, Haryana.
A chargesheet was submitted against the three detained individuals, and their trial is ongoing. Despite numerous attempts by law enforcement and the denial of his anticipatory bail plea, Ahmad remained elusive for several years.
In early 2025, a new team was constituted to advance the investigation.
Following exhaustive efforts and intelligence gathering, the team successfully tracked down and arrested Jameel Ahmad on May 8 at his home in Pinangwan village.
Investigations revealed that following the 2019 arrests, Ahmad fled to Mumbai and took up a job in event management, frequently changing his mobile phone and rarely returning home, except to visit his children.
During questioning, Ahmad revealed he had obtained the ganja from two individuals—Gabriel and Paul—both of whom reside in Odisha.
A police unit was dispatched to Tikmala village in Gajapati district, Odisha, to locate them.
Gabriel was identified as a notorious drug trafficker who cultivated ganja in the adjacent hills and had previously been arrested in 2020 for cultivating ganja valued at Rs 17 crore. His search is currently ongoing.
The capture of Jameel Ahmad is regarded as a significant victory for the ANTF, further bolstering its mission to dismantle drug networks that span across states.