Mumbai’s Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has dismantled a significant drug cartel, reportedly the largest in India, arresting six individuals linked to it. The cartel, led by Naveen Chichkar, a resident of Navi Mumbai currently abroad, has allegedly sold drugs worth approximately Rs 1,128 crore over the last two years. Chichkar, an educated individual with a background in Criminal Psychology and Film, operates the cartel remotely. The operation involves smuggling cocaine and hydroponic weed via air cargo from the US. The NCB discovered this network through intelligence, recovering substantial amounts of drugs and cash in the process.
Mumbai:
A significant drug cartel, reportedly the largest in India, has been dismantled by the Mumbai Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), leading to the arrest of six individuals connected to it. Authorities stated that this cartel, primarily managed by highly educated individuals, has distributed drugs worth approximately Rs 1,128 crore throughout the nation over the past two years.
As per the police, Naveen Chichkar, a Navi Mumbai resident currently residing overseas, is the mastermind behind the drug operation and has been orchestrating the cartel via his associates for several years. Chichkar has a background in Criminal Psychology and has completed a course in Film and Television in London. He is currently evading capture.
Officials indicated that three other individuals apprehended in connection with the case have also pursued studies abroad.
The cartel is engaged in the trade of cocaine and hybrid strain hydroponic marijuana. Sources revealed that these substances are transported to Mumbai via air cargo from the United States and distributed nationwide. Some of the drugs were also purportedly sold in Australia, they noted.
How law enforcement uncovered the drug cartel
According to police, the NCB officials identified the smuggling source in Mumbai through a combination of technical and human intelligence on January 1. The investigation uncovered that the suspects had sold between 80 to 90 kg of cocaine and around 60 kg of hybrid strain hydroponic marijuana in the past two years.
Authorities have apprehended a 30-year-old Hawala operator, H Patel, along with a trader, H Mane, from Navi Mumbai. Hawala refers to an informal and traditional method of money transfer without physical movement. The duo was involved in distributing the drugs across the country, with the profits being shared among the operators.
Police also seized 11.540 kg of extremely high-purity cocaine, 4.9 kg of hybrid strain hydroponic marijuana, 200 packets (5.5 kg) of cannabis gummies, and Rs 1,60,000 in cash from Navi Mumbai.