In one of the biggest hauls in recent times, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has seized 50 kg “high quality” heroin, another 47 kg “suspected” narcotics, Rs 30 lakh drug money in cash, cash counting machines and other incriminating material from a residential premises in Jamia Nagar, Shaheen Bagh on a tip off.
The seizure is remarkable as it was made from a residential area. Besides the seizure, the NCB also arrested an Indian national in the case as it busted an international heroin trafficking network.
The suspected narcotics seized during the search operation here has been sent to a laboratory for testing.
The NCB said several raids were conducted and are still going on to bust the entire network. The syndicate was found to be connected with drug traffickers of the entire north region including states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Delhi.
The contraband was stored in travel bags, backpacks and jute sacs. The seized heroin originated from Afghanistan and the drug money was suspected to be channelled through Hawala, the agency said on Thursday.
“The seized heroin was packed in the packaging of Flipkart (e-commerce major). During the ongoing investigations, it has been revealed that an Indo-Afghan syndicate based in Delhi/NCR or neighbouring states seems to be connected in the case. These syndicates have expertise in manufacturing/adulterating heroin locally,” the agency said in a statement.
These syndicates have been smuggling goods to India through maritime as well as land border route and the contraband heroin was smuggled in with various legitimate goods. Heroin was later extracted from those goods by the Indian counterparts with the help of some Afghan nationals, it said, adding further investigation is on.
The "kingpin" of the syndicate is based in Dubai and the agency is probing the case further. The arrested accused did not stay in the raided apartment at Shaheen Bagh and had taken it on rent, a senior official said.
The seizure of the high quality heroin originating from Afghanistan also exposed inter-state gangs assisting Pakistani drug traffickers. The illicit trafficking was being done in the garb of textiles, spices and other goods, officials said.
The Indo-Afghan syndicate manufactured heroin locally and also smuggled the contraband through international borders, including maritime and land borders.