Delhi-Telangana Police bust transnational drug cartel

The Crime Branch of Delhi Police and the Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau (TGNAB) dismantled a transnational drug cartel run by African traffickers and supported by Indian facilitators. The teams raided multiple spots across Delhi and NCR and recovered cocaine, heroin, MDMA (Methylenedi-oxymethamphetamine) and ecstasy worth about Rs 12 crore. They also detained 30 foreign nationals living illegally in the capital.

The action was triggered by inputs from TGNAB about the accused wanted in a Hyderabad narcotics case. Officials traced them to several pockets in Delhi, and surveillance teams worked for days to map their movement. Once addresses were confirmed, multiple Crime Branch teams, along with Telangana officers, conducted raids on the locations. DCP (Crime Branch) Harsh Indora said the operation shows how drug networks hide behind rented flats and fake identities. He said, “This joint action struck at the heart of an organised cartel. The seizures and arrests will have a long-term impact on the supply chain.”

Investigators said the cartel used a simple but strong model. Foreign nationals handled the drugs, and Indian locals handled money, communication, and safe houses. Together, they built a system that helped the cartel spread across Delhi, NCR, and Hyderabad.

The biggest seizure came from Sant Garh in Tilak Nagar. Police arrested 49-year-old Nigerian national Bekki. From her home, officers seized 5,209 ecstasy pills, 35.46 grams of cocaine, and Rs 78,000 in cash. She told investigators she had supplied narcotics to a Nigerian national named Frank, who lived in Nihal Vihar. A raid at his residence led to the recovery of 60 ecstasy pills. He was arrested. Police said he had earlier served time in an NDPS and Foreigner Act case and joined the cartel again due to personal debt.

Another major recovery came from Mohan Garden in Uttam Nagar. Officers arrested 35-year-old Ugandan national Zainab Kyobutungi. She had 195 grams of cocaine, 24 grams of MDMA, and Rs 40,500 in cash. Police said she supplied drugs to Bekki and was a key link between traffickers in Delhi and those wanted in the Telangana case.

The team also raided a locked flat linked to Jean Ahmad, wanted by TGNAB. The unit seized 106.38 grams of cocaine and 107.83 grams of heroin from the flat.  Along with foreign nationals, the teams arrested Indian facilitators who formed the cartel’s support structure. Badruddin from Greater Noida handled finance for traffickers. He coordinated payments, moved drug money through informal channels, and helped foreign peddlers stay hidden. His wife, Sama Umar, helped with logistics and communication. Zafar from Mehrauli worked alongside Badruddin to move drug proceeds.

Three residents of Delhi, Titing Guite, S. Joshua Guite, and Lal Khosei Selien, provided SIM cards to cartel members. Police said these were procured using fake or proxy credentials. The constant change of numbers made surveillance difficult and helped the traffickers avoid detection. These communication channels allowed peddlers to take orders, plan deliveries, and shift hideouts without leaving a trail.

In all, 30 foreign nationals were found overstaying. Eighteen men were sent to a deportation facility, and the process for 12 women is underway with FRRO. Officers said many of them had been living in different rented flats under false identities, and their presence helped the cartel maintain a supply chain stretching from Hyderabad to Delhi. The case has now been handed over to TGNAB for further investigation.