Mastermind behind record Delhi drug haul arrested; suspected UK and Dubai links investigated
Jitendra Pal Singh, well known as Jassi, was apprehended by Special Cell police at the Amritsar airport in Punjab while he attempted to escape to the UK.
PTC News Desk: In a significant development, Delhi Police have made a fifth arrest in connection with the seizure of over 500 kg of cocaine—the largest haul ever recorded in the national capital, valued at approximately Rs 5,000 crore. The latest suspect, identified as Jitendra Pal Singh, also known as Jassi, was apprehended at Amritsar Airport in Punjab on Thursday as he attempted to flee to the United Kingdom.
This arrest points to potential links between organised crime in the UK and a widespread drug smuggling network operating across India.
Arrest Details
The police were alerted to Singh's attempted escape due to an issued Look Out Circular (LOC) against him. Singh, a 40-year-old Indian citizen, had been residing in the UK for the past 17 years as a permanent resident. He had flown in from London to oversee the cartel's operations in India and was attempting to return to the UK following the police crackdown that resulted in the seizure of the drugs and the arrests of four other suspects.
Connections to a Wider Syndicate
Investigations reveal that this particular drug syndicate operates out of both Delhi and Mumbai, with suspected links to Dubai. One name that has emerged during police interrogations is Virendra Basoya, an Indian citizen currently residing in Dubai, who authorities believe could be one of the masterminds—if not the kingpin—behind this drug smuggling network.
Basoya had previously been arrested in an unrelated case but secured bail. Last year, police in Maharashtra conducted a raid in Delhi, resulting in the seizure of drugs worth Rs 3,000 crore, including 'meow meow,' the street name for the synthetic stimulant mephedrone.
Notably, this raid occurred just a day after Basoya's son married the daughter of a former MLA from Uttar Pradesh’s Noida, during a lavish ceremony at a farmhouse near Delhi's airport. Following the police action, Basoya fled to Dubai and is believed to now head an international cartel.
Criminal Networks and Financial Incentives
Tushar Goyal, another key accused in this case, is thought to have a longstanding friendship with Basoya. Police believe that it was Basoya who introduced Goyal to the drug trade, offering him ₹3 crore per delivery for each of 100 consignments. Basoya is believed to have sent Singh back to India to manage the operations.
Upon his arrival in the national capital, Singh checked into a hotel in the Panchsheel area, where he met Goyal. Subsequently, they traveled to Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh to collect the drugs. The Delhi Police have also identified a supplier in Mumbai who was to contribute to this drug shipment.
Potential Links to Organised Crime
Furthermore, the police are investigating any possible connections between Basoya and 'D-Company,' the notorious Mumbai crime syndicate run by fugitive mob boss and terrorist Dawood Ibrahim, who is on India’s list of most wanted criminals.
Ongoing Efforts in Drug Enforcement
This latest drug bust follows the arrest of two Afghan nationals on Sunday in the Tilak Nagar area of Delhi, from whom approximately 400 grams of heroin and 160 grams of cocaine were seized. On the same day, 1.6 kg of cocaine valued at over ₹25 crore was recovered at the Delhi airport from a passenger arriving from the Federal Republic of Liberia, who has since been arrested.
In June, a 70-year-old Cameroon national was arrested for smuggling cocaine worth ₹11 crore, with the drugs reportedly concealed within his body.
The Delhi Police continue to ramp up their efforts in combating drug-related crimes, underscoring their commitment to dismantling sophisticated drug syndicates operating both locally and internationally.
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