Representative image of arrest.
Credit: iStock Photo
Mumbai: In a significant breakthrough after a well-coordinated operation, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has secured deportation of a kingpin behind the trans-national drug trafficking syndicate from Malaysia with the assistance of other national and international agencies.
The NCB, however, has not revealed the identity of the accused, but provided extensive details of the crime syndicate.
The NCB launched a probe after the seizure of about 200 gms of Cocaine hidden in a projector from a parcel being sent from Mumbai to Australia through DHL Courier on January 21, 2025.
Following bottom to top approach during the investigation of the case, the NCB further affected the seizure of 11.540 kgs Cocaine, 4.9 kgs Cannabis and 5.5 kgs Cannabis Gummies from the house of one of the members of the syndicate in Navi Mumbai.
“Investigation disclosed a well-oiled trans-national syndicate involved in trafficking of Cocaine from USA to India and is further distribution within India and outside. Investigation further revealed the involvement of Clearing House Agent (CHA) and hawala operators,” NCB officials said.
A total of 8 persons have been arrested so far and the kingpin who had located himself in Thailand in 2021 after absconding from an earlier case of NCB regarding trafficking of LSD was located in Malaysia subsequent to the Red Notice issued by NCB recently and has been brought to India.
“Investigation in this case has already revealed that the syndicate was operating for at least one year and multiple consignments of Cocaine to air cargo were received at Mumbai during this period,” the officials said.
Interrogation of the kingpin brought from Malaysia is likely to reveal more details of his operations including the source of drugs in the USA. Financial investigation in the case has already led to identification of assets including properties and bank accounts in Thailand. Efforts are on for attachment of these properties.