In a significant breakthrough in the fight against drug trafficking, authorities have seized a massive consignment of drugs in Gujarat’s Ankleshwar, valued at approximately Rs 5,000 crore. The joint operation, led by the Delhi Police and Gujarat Police, resulted in the confiscation of 518 kilograms of cocaine, making it one of the largest drug busts in recent memory. The operation also revealed links to earlier drug seizures in Delhi, bringing the total amount of recovered narcotics to staggering levels.
Operation Details and Arrests
The crackdown took place after a special team from Delhi Police identified a connection between a drug seizure in the national capital and the Gujarat-based company, Avkar Drugs Limited, in Ankleshwar. According to reports, the 700 kg of cocaine previously seized in Delhi had been supplied by the same company. This discovery led to the dispatch of a dedicated police team to Gujarat, which, after detailed investigation, successfully recovered the drugs from the company’s godown.
During the raid, five individuals were arrested at the site and are currently being interrogated by the authorities. This bust follows a series of operations in the capital that had already shaken up the drug network operating across India.
Connection to Delhi Drug Busts
This massive seizure in Gujarat is part of a broader investigation linked to drug busts in Delhi over the past two weeks. In total, the authorities have recovered 1,289 kilograms of cocaine and 40 kilograms of hydroponic marijuana over several operations. The drugs, valued at more than Rs 13,000 crore in total, were being smuggled and distributed by an international syndicate, as preliminary investigations suggest.
The Gujarat drug bust comes after multiple significant drug seizures in Delhi. On October 2, police in Delhi uncovered 560 kg of cocaine and 40 kg of hydroponic marijuana from a godown in the Mahipalpur area of South Delhi, worth an estimated Rs 5,620 crore. A few days later, another 208 kg of cocaine was found at a rented shop in West Delhi, valued at Rs 2,080 crore in the international market.
The Delhi operations resulted in the arrest of seven individuals, with more suspects under investigation. The authorities have indicated that the recovered narcotics and the suspects are linked to an international syndicate operating out of Dubai and the United Kingdom. However, several key figures, including the syndicate’s mastermind, remain at large.
Mastermind on the Run
One of the prime suspects identified during the operation is Virender Basoya, a Dubai-based businessman of Indian origin. Basoya is believed to be the mastermind behind the syndicate responsible for the smuggling and distribution of these narcotics in India. According to the police, he managed to evade arrest just before authorities raided his location. Investigators are now working with international agencies to track Basoya’s movements and bring him to justice.
International Syndicate Under Scrutiny
The ongoing investigation has revealed that the drug syndicate has far-reaching connections, extending from Dubai to the United Kingdom. The syndicate is suspected of using elaborate networks to smuggle large quantities of cocaine into India, often disguising it as legitimate cargo or using well-established businesses to cover their illegal operations.
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As the investigation deepens, authorities are focusing on cracking down on the entire supply chain, which includes suppliers, distributors, and local contacts. Interpol and other international agencies are expected to be involved as the syndicate’s operations span multiple countries.
Impact and Next Steps
The seizure of such a massive quantity of cocaine has undoubtedly dealt a severe blow to the international drug trade in India. The Delhi Police and Gujarat Police are being lauded for their coordination and swift action in dismantling this drug network. However, with key figures like Virender Basoya still on the run, the investigation is far from over.
Authorities are now intensifying efforts to trace the financial networks linked to the syndicate, which likely involve money laundering operations spread across several countries. More arrests are expected as the investigation continues, and officials remain optimistic about further breakthroughs in the coming days.
This drug bust serves as a reminder of the challenges India faces in combatting international narcotics smuggling, and the importance of vigilant law enforcement in keeping these dangerous substances off the streets.
