The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has arrested the head of an international drug smuggling syndicate after bringing him back to India from Malaysia with the help of Malaysian agencies. According to the NCB, the investigation began with the seizure of about 200 grams of cocaine from a parcel being sent from Mumbai to Australia on January 21, 2025. This cocaine was hidden inside a projector which was being sent through DHL courier. This success exposed a large and organized drug smuggling network.
Cocaine smuggling from US to India exposed
The investigation followed a bottom-up plan. During this, 11.540 kg of cocaine, 4.9 kg of ganja and 5.5 kg of ganja gummies were seized from the house of a syndicate member in Navi Mumbai. The investigation revealed that this international syndicate smuggles cocaine from the US and supplies it inside and outside India. Along with this, Clearing House Agents (CHA) and Hawala operators were also found to be involved in this trap. This syndicate was active for a long time and consignments of drugs kept coming to Mumbai through air cargo many times.
Kingpin arrested in Malaysia
Eight members of this syndicate have been arrested so far. Its kingpin was in Thailand in 2021. He was absconding in an old NCB case of LSD smuggling. Recently, after his location was found in Malaysia, the NCB issued a red notice and he was brought back to India. Several investigations are going on against him at the international level so that the mystery of the entire syndicate can be solved. The NCB believes that this syndicate was active for at least one year and kept delivering consignments of drugs to Mumbai many times.
Efforts continue to seize properties
After questioning the kingpin brought from Malaysia, more important information is expected to come to the fore in this case. This may reveal the source of drugs from the US and the financial transactions of the syndicate. Financial investigation has also found properties and bank accounts in his name in Thailand. Steps are also being taken to seize these properties. This month, the NCB also brought back another accused from the UAE to India, who was involved in the drug smuggling case in Bengaluru. This action is part of the NCB’s strong strategy against international drug smuggling.
This successful operation has made it clear that the NCB is constantly working at the global level to catch the conspiracies of drug smuggling. Efforts are constantly being made to eliminate such big syndicates so that the country can be freed from drug crimes.
