The cartel responsible for Delhi’s biggest drug busts, which amount to over ₹7,000 crore combined, has used a combination of old and new methods to avoid detection and ensure consignments have reached their intended receivers. Reports said the methods had included torn currency notes, coded language, and encrypted messaging apps.
In southwest Delhi’s Mahipalpur, the authorities made the biggest haul last week, seizing over 500kg of cocaine valued at ₹5,000 crore; this was followed by 200kg, worth ₹2,080 crore, found in a rented shop in south Delhi on Thursday. The authorities suspect that this cartel may have been behind both consignments.
So far, at least seven arrests have been made, giving the Delhi police vital leads on the cartel operations. The outfit uses archaic methods à la film lore, using code words when making deliveries. Both the deliverer followed a peculiar form of identification, and the latter received shreds of a torn currency note- and when pieced together, a full number appeared thereon printed.
To maintain anonymity, the members communicate through paid, encrypted messaging apps in case law enforcement agencies intercept those communications.
According to officials, only a few people in this crime network knew each other. The Delhi branch goes into action only when the consignment is due. The head of the cartel, now based abroad, decided who would do what and how much they would get as their share of profits.
Connections to people in the UK and Dubai have been reported. Dubai-based businessman Virendra Basoya has come into the limelight as a potential mastermind or kingpin behind the operation.
In the recent raid, the cocaine was reportedly kept in Tushar Goyal, one of the arrested accused warehouses. According to the reports, Basoya had promised Goyal an amount of ₹3 crore for every consignment.
On Thursday, authorities found more drugs stashed inside packets of snacks at a rented shop. These packets have been recovered to link them with a UK citizen not yet in custody. The Enforcement Directorate has started a money laundering case here, carrying out raids across Delhi, Mumbai, and Punjab.
