How Did the Mastermind Behind the Inter-State Drug Syndicate Evade Capture for Years?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Sushil Karnani was on the run since 2021 before his capture.
- The syndicate operated through fake companies in multiple states.
- Authorities have seized drugs valued at over Rs 16 crore in total.
- Seven individuals have already been arrested in connection with the case.
- The investigation aims to dismantle the entire drug trafficking network.
Jaipur, May 26 (NationPress) In a remarkable development, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of Rajasthan’s Special Operations Group (SOG) has apprehended the ringleader behind a multi-crore illegal drug operation utilizing fraudulent companies in Nagaland, Assam, Gurugram, and Nepal. The suspect, Sushil Karnani, had been evading capture since 2021 and was taken into custody in Nepal on May 25, as per official reports.
A resident of Nokha, Bikaner, Karnani had a bounty of Rs 50,000 placed on his head. He was subsequently brought before the NDPS court in Ajmer on Monday and has been remanded for six days of police interrogation.
Authorities are now set to question him to locate other fugitives belonging to the syndicate.
According to SP Satvir Singh of the ANTF, the initial case was lodged in 2021 at Ramganj Police Station, Ajmer, following a major drug seizure.
Investigations indicated that Karnani had established fake pharmaceutical companies in Nagaland and other regions to unlawfully procure narcotics. These substances were then trafficked to Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
The operation employed counterfeit documents and stolen identities to register firms and acquire restricted pharmaceutical drugs, predominantly 'Tramadol', known for its high potential for abuse.
The case gained traction following a series of significant drug busts in 2021.
On May 3, 2021, Vishwakarma Police in Jaipur seized a tempo loaded with Rs 5 crore worth of narcotic medications and arrested Mohammad Tahir. On May 24, 2021, authorities confiscated 114 cartons of illegal antibiotics from a warehouse in Transport Nagar, Ajmer, valued at Rs 5.5 crore.
On June 1, 2021, joint efforts from Ramganj and Alwar Gate police teams recovered 110 cartons of prohibited medicines worth Rs 55.3 crore, containing over 3.5 million tablets, injections, and syrups. In total, drugs valued at over Rs 16 crore were seized in this case across Jaipur and Ajmer.
Special Public Prosecutor Shashi Prakash Indouria disclosed that Karnani had set up fake companies using the documents of unsuspecting individuals, some of whom were not aware that businesses were being operated under their names.
The syndicate leveraged these bogus firms to order prescription drugs en masse, in violation of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Many of these substances are rigorously controlled due to their potential for abuse. Thus far, seven suspects have been arrested in connection with the case.
With Karnani now in custody, law enforcement hopes to dismantle the entire network, locate remaining fugitives, and dismantle the supply chain, an official stated.