Delhi drug squad faces heat

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has expanded its investigation into an alleged extortion ring run by the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) in Delhi Police’s Dwarka district. Inspector Subhash Yadav, who previously led the unit, was arrested between May 11 and 12, 2026. The case began as a bribery complaint in early May 2026, but soon grew to include claims of drug planting, large-scale extortion, hidden assets, and possible protection from higher-ups.

Authorities believe the racket may be worth more than Rs 100 crore. The investigation of the case, registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, is ongoing. The CBI is now also looking into the role of senior IPS officers and earlier cases handled by the unit.

CBI investigators called the Dwarka ANC under Yadav a “predatory extortion machine.” The unit is accused of targeting innocent people, business owners, and small-time drug offenders. Officers are said to have planted cannabis, filed or threatened false NDPS cases, and demanded settlements as high as Rs 50 lakh per case. In exchange, the group allegedly protected real drug dealers, including foreign networks. The officers are accused of taking advantage of the wide powers given for narcotics raids, which have little immediate oversight.

CBI seized Rs 48.9 lakh in unexplained cash from the ANC office, most of it found in Yadav’s workspace and not accounted for. There were transactions, benami properties, and assets worth over Rs 100 crore. This is far in excess of Yadav’s known sources of income. CBI told the court that there were multiple phone calls between Yadav and other officers in the unit, at the exact time the Rs 48.9 lakh cash was being recovered during the office raid. This contradicts any claim of non-involvement.

At first, phone records linked Yadav to the raid and the bribe talks. Later, a direct account described the drug planting and a phone negotiation with ‘Subhash’ during the incident. Now, the CBI is reviewing bank accounts, digital records, and past Dwarka ANC cases to identify similar extortion schemes.

During questioning, Inspector Yadav reportedly named three senior IPS officers from the AGMUT cadre. He claimed they were involved, knew about the racket, or gave protection. One of these officers is now working with the CBI, which is leading the investigation. This situation raises concerns about possible conflicts of interest and the need for safeguards.

The agency is examining whether these officers had any role in providing protection or influencing postings related to the narcotics cell. The CBI is also probing if these officers benefited from the corruption or helped the Rs 100-crore network.

CBI officials are tracking the full money trail and hidden assets. They are also looking into links with drug syndicates that the unit may have protected, questioning more people, and examining Yadav’s shady network.

The case has already caused strong reactions among top officials. The CBI has sent a detailed report to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which oversees Delhi Police. This has led to internal changes, including transfers of senior officers.

Inspector Yadav and HC Ajay have been remanded in CBI custody at various stages, and courts are monitoring developments closely. The CBI has not yet commented publicly on the senior IPS allegations, other than confirming that the inquiry is ongoing.

“This is not the first time questions have been raised about corruption in narcotics enforcement, but the scale here, and the alleged reach into senior ranks, has rattled the establishment. Whether the Dwarka episode proves to be an isolated unit-level racket or points to deeper systemic issues”, a senior cop said.