Did the Delhi Special Cell Successfully Dismantle a Rs 100-Crore Inter-State Drug Syndicate?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Successful bust of a Rs 100 crore drug syndicate.
- Four arrests made, including key members of the operation.
- Mobile drug lab discovered in Nilothi Extension.
- Drugs included methamphetamine and tablets.
- Syndicate used women couriers and various transport methods.
New Delhi, Nov 19 (NationPress) In a significant operation against inter-state drug trafficking, the Delhi Police Special Cell has successfully broken down a lucrative narcotics syndicate functioning across Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, as reported by officials on Wednesday.
Four principal members of African descent have been apprehended, and a mobile drug manufacturing laboratory has been seized, representing one of the largest drug busts of the year.
The seized illegal substances, which include 20.146 kg of methamphetamine and 700 drug tablets, are estimated to be worth over Rs 100 crore in the international market.
This operation was spearheaded by Inspectors Ranjeet Singh and Sanjeev Kumar under the guidance of ACP Neeraj Kumar.
Acting on specific intelligence received on November 1, a trap was established near the Dhaula Kuan bus stand. Around midnight, the first suspect, Ezebuenyi Esther Osita, also known as Ella, was caught with a red trolley bag containing 17.146 kg of methamphetamine and 700 drug tablets.
She disclosed information about a broader network operating from Delhi, supplying drugs to Bengaluru and Mumbai.
Her revelations led to the arrest of Charles Chimuanya Ebereonwu, known as Amorka, from Chander Vihar on November 5, along with an additional 3 kg of methamphetamine.
During the raid, police discovered a mobile drug manufacturing lab functioning from a rented location in Nilothi Extension, which was equipped with precursor chemicals, solvents, and lab equipment.
According to the Special Cell's press release, "During the raid, a mobile drug manufacturing facility was unearthed at Tek Chand Colony, Nilothi Extension. This lab contained several pieces of equipment along with precursors such as calcium chloride, methanol, and both colored and clear liquid chemicals and solvents."
Further investigation led to the apprehension of Chinoye Emmanuel, who allegedly assisted in the production of methamphetamine, and Diarra Idriss, known as White Money, a distributor based in Bengaluru.
Idriss reportedly received shipments from Delhi through courier services and sold them locally, channeling the proceeds abroad through informal methods.
Preliminary investigations suggest the syndicate had been operational for at least three years, utilizing female couriers, secret compartments in bags, long-distance trains, and interstate transit points to evade law enforcement.
All four suspects were found residing in India without valid travel documents, leading to additional charges under the Foreigners Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, according to the Special Cell.
The Special Cell is now focused on identifying additional members of the cartel and tracing the financial connections linked to the operation.
"Moreover, efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the remaining members of the drug cartel," stated DCP Aalap Patel.