Delhi Police’s Crime Branch has dismantled an organised inter-state drug network and seized psychotropic substances valued at more than ₹4.5 crore, arresting four individuals and apprehending a juvenile in a crackdown that exposed a supply chain operating across Delhi-NCR.
The operation, led by the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), was launched earlier this month after specific intelligence inputs indicated the movement of a drug consignment in northeast Delhi. Acting swiftly on the tip-off, police teams laid a trap near Shiv Vihar Tiraha on Johripur Road on March 17 and intercepted a motorcycle carrying narcotics.
The rider, identified as 20-year-old Nitin Pathak, was detained along with a minor who was travelling with him. A search led to the recovery of 1.91 kg of Alprazolam tablets and 0.49 kg of Tramadol tablets from their possession. A case was subsequently registered under the relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at the Crime Branch police station.
Investigators said the seizure marked the beginning of a wider crackdown that gradually uncovered the contours of an organised distribution network.
Interrogation reveals wider supply chain
During interrogation, Pathak disclosed details of the drug supply chain, enabling police to identify other individuals allegedly involved in procuring and distributing the contraband. Acting on these disclosures, officers conducted a raid at a medical store in Bhopura, Uttar Pradesh.
The raid led to the arrest of Prem Singh Yadav, 30, who was allegedly linked to the network. Police recovered 1.21 kg of Tramadol capsules from the premises during the search operation.
Further investigation then took the police to Laxmi Nagar in east Delhi, where another suspect, Shalu Kumar, 45, was arrested. Officers seized 1.62 kg of Alprazolam tablets from Kumar’s residence, adding to the growing cache of contraband linked to the network.
Another accused, Sanjay Singh, 36, was later apprehended as the probe expanded and additional leads emerged during questioning.
Prescription drugs diverted to illicit market
According to investigators, the group was involved in the illegal procurement and distribution of prescription drugs, taking advantage of regulatory gaps and strong demand for such substances in the illicit market.
The contraband seized during the operation included a total of approximately 3.5 kg of Alprazolam tablets and about 1.7 kg of Tramadol tablets and capsules. Police officials estimate that the Alprazolam tablets alone could fetch nearly ₹3.5 crore in the international market, while the Tramadol stock is valued at around ₹1 crore.
Authorities believe the drugs were being sourced and circulated through unauthorised channels, with the network supplying psychotropic substances across parts of Delhi-NCR.
Police officials said the arrests have significantly disrupted the distribution chain, though further investigation is continuing to identify additional links in the network and trace the larger supply routes behind the illegal trade.