Jitendra Pal Singh, known as Jassi, an Indian national residing in the UK for 17 years, was arrested at Amritsar Airport while attempting to flee to the UK. This arrest comes in the aftermath of a significant drug bust by the Delhi Police, which resulted in the seizure of over 560 kilograms of cocaine and 40 kilograms of hydroponic marijuana, with an estimated total value of approximately Rs 5,620 crore, marking it as one of the largest drug hauls in India’s history.
Jassi, 40, had flown in from London specifically to oversee the operations of an international drug cartel in India. Sources indicate that he planned to escape back to the UK after the police arrested four other members of the syndicate, fearing the repercussions of the crackdown. Singh, a permanent resident with a Green Card, had reportedly coordinated with various operatives within the drug network, which is believed to have been sourcing drugs from multiple countries, including Middle Eastern nations.
The Delhi Police made the initial seizure on October 2 at a godown in the Mahipalpur area of south Delhi. The operation involved multiple teams of officers and led to the confiscation of a staggering amount of illicit drugs, underscoring the extensive reach and operations of the cartel. The police’s efforts resulted in the arrest of four key members prior to Jassi’s capture. These individuals included:
Tushar Goyal (arrested on October 2) – Believed to be the mastermind behind the syndicate, Goyal’s connections to political figures have sparked controversy.
- Himanshu Kumar (27) – A resident of Delhi, his involvement in the operation highlights the cartel’s local connections.
- Aurangzeb Siddiqui (23) – Another Delhi resident, Siddiqui’s arrest adds to the mounting evidence against the syndicate.
- Bharat Kumar Jain (48) – Based in Mumbai, Jain’s role indicates the national spread of the cartel’s operations.
Following the bust, Tushar Goyal’s social media activity came under scrutiny as it revealed photos of him with prominent leaders of India’s Congress party. This association ignited a political firestorm, with the ruling BJP using the opportunity to target Congress, accusing them of collusion with criminal elements. Congress leaders vehemently denied any ties to Goyal and demanded that the BJP cease what they described as misleading narratives.
The ongoing investigation has revealed a disturbing picture of the cartel’s operations. According to police sources, the syndicate had plans to distribute large quantities of drugs during concerts, rave parties, and in upscale neighborhoods across Delhi and other metropolitan cities. Authorities are now undertaking a massive manhunt to locate other members involved in this international drug trafficking network, which reportedly includes around a dozen individuals from India and abroad.
Delhi Police have flagged the name Virendra Basoya, another Indian national currently living in Dubai, during interrogations of the arrested suspects. Basoya is suspected to be a significant player, potentially the kingpin of this drug smuggling operation. He had previously been arrested in an unrelated case but managed to secure bail. Notably, Basoya’s activities came under scrutiny when police raided locations in Delhi and seized drugs worth Rs 3,000 crore last year.
Law enforcement agencies are also exploring potential links between Basoya and the notorious ‘D-Company’, led by infamous crime lord Dawood Ibrahim, who is one of India’s most wanted criminals. The suggestion that Basoya may have ties to such a high-profile criminal organisation raises alarm about the nexus between drug trafficking and organised crime in India. Authorities are particularly concerned about how these connections could affect national security and stability.
The Delhi Police’s recent drug bust is part of a broader campaign to combat drug trafficking in the national capital and beyond. Earlier this week, police arrested two Afghan nationals in a separate operation, recovering 400 grams of heroin and 160 grams of cocaine from them. Additionally, a passenger arriving at Delhi Airport from Liberia was arrested with 1.6 kg of cocaine valued at over ₹25 crore. Such operations underline the increasing scale of drug smuggling into India and the growing presence of international syndicates.
In June, authorities made headlines when they apprehended a 70-year-old national from Cameroon for smuggling cocaine worth Rs 11 crore, highlighting the diverse profiles of those involved in the illicit drug trade. The crackdown reflects the Delhi Police’s commitment to tackling the complex and evolving challenges posed by drug trafficking networks.
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