Delhi Police Dismantles International Drug Syndicate, Seizes Psychotropic Pills Worth ₹9 Crore

NEW DELHI : In a major crackdown, the Delhi Police has busted an international drug trafficking network with links to the United Kingdom, recovering over 18 lakh psychotropic tablets valued at around ₹9 crore in the illicit market. Five individuals have been arrested in connection with the case, which exposed a well-organized syndicate that used logistics companies, courier services, and export consignments to smuggle banned medicines abroad.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Vikram Singh said the operation began on October 7 last year, when a Crime Branch team acted on specific intelligence and laid a trap in Sarita Vihar. Around 6:30 pm, they apprehended Mohammad Abid and recovered 54,000 Tramadol Hydrochloride tablets weighing 14.472 kilograms. An FIR was registered, and further investigation revealed the supply chain behind the syndicate.

Abid disclosed that he had procured the tablets from his relative Javed Khan, who was later arrested on October 30. Khan revealed Sunil Kumar, owner of Prahlad Logistics in Samalka, as his supplier. Kumar was taken into custody on November 2, along with Vishnu Dutt Sharma, an exporter, who provided additional leads pointing to Vikash Singh (alias Ishwar Singh) and TC Sedana. Another associate, Naushad (alias Bablu), has been declared a proclaimed offender.

Police said Sharma had attempted to export a container to the UK under the guise of household goods, hiding 32 boxes containing Tramadol and other psychotropic tablets. The shipment was intercepted by the Crime Branch in coordination with Customs authorities and returned to India.

On February 16, following police custody remand, a joint raid at a warehouse at Mundra Port in Gujarat, involving a Drugs Inspector, FSL team, and Customs SIT, led to a massive recovery of contraband. Authorities seized 1,38,00,000 Alprazolam tablets (404.340 kg), 1,95,800 Alprazolam tablets (48.950 kg), 94,000 Tramadol tablets (25.568 kg), 41,600 Tramadol tablets (10.940 kg), 30,000Mohammad Abid  (11.340 kg), and 52,000 Nitrazepam tablets (12.792 kg). Combined with the earlier recovery of Tramadol, the total seizure stood at 18,47,400 tablets weighing 528.402 kg.

Investigation revealed that Abid, formerly running an animal feed business, became involved in local distribution of psychotropic drugs. Khan, a Customs House Agent, allegedly exploited his knowledge of customs clearance procedures to facilitate illicit consignments. Sunil Kumar reportedly used his warehouse for storage and transit, while Sharma misused his export business to conceal prohibited substances. Vikash Singh coordinated the transportation of the contraband through his courier network, enabling the syndicate to operate seamlessly across borders.

This operation highlights the growing sophistication of drug trafficking networks in India and underscores the Delhi Police’s efforts to dismantle such international syndicates.