Delhi Police bust inter-state drug racket; heroin, alprazolam worth Rs 1.55 cr seized

New Delhi [India], July 20 (ANI): In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, the Inter-State Cell of the Delhi Police's Crime Branch has busted an inter-state narcotics syndicate and arrested two key operatives. The police seized a total of 1.5 kg of Alprazolam worth 30 lakhs and 606 grams of heroin worth Rs 1.25 crore, officials said on Sunday.
According to officials, acting on specific intelligence, a team from the Crime Branch launched an operation near Harijan Basti in Ghazipur, Delhi, where a drug delivery was being planned. The team successfully apprehended two suspects, identified as Mahendra Pal and Natthu Khan -- both residents of Faridpur in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh.
Officials said that 50-year-old Mahendra Pal initially worked as a supplier of Alprazolam to heroin manufacturers. Over time, he expanded his role and developed his own distribution network in the illegal drug trade. The second accused, 60-year-old Natthu Khan, has a history of criminal involvement and has previously been arrested in three cases, including one under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. His brother held an opium agriculture license, which was misused for heroin production
The seized items included 1.5 kg of Alprazolam, approximately Rs 30 lakh and 606 grams of heroin, which costs around Rs 1.25 crore.
The Delhi Police have said that further investigation is underway to trace the origin of the narcotics and identify other members involved in the supply chain. Authorities believe this bust is a significant blow to interstate drug networks operating between Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.
Earlier, the Delhi Police Crime Branch dismantled a well-organised cheating syndicate that was operating across India, involving Nigerian nationals and their Indian accomplices. The gang allegedly lured unsuspecting individuals with fake lottery winnings, gifts, and prize schemes, officials said on Sunday.
According to officials, seven people have been arrested in connection with the case, including two Nigerian nationals identified as Shedrack Onainor and Sunday John alias Liberty, and five Indian accomplices, Shahid Raza, Shahrukh Khan, Vikas, and Rakesh alias Lalu.
During the crackdown, the Delhi Crime Branch recovered cash amounting to Rs 3.63 lakhs, mobile phones, multiple phones containing incriminating data, ATM cards, nine cards issued in the name of Vikas, bank passbooks, multiple passbooks and cheque books, Aadhaar card and PAN Cards. The two Aadhaar cards have different addresses, they added. (ANI)