In a major crackdown on international drug trafficking, the Delhi Police have dismantled a syndicate with alleged links to the United Kingdom, seizing over 18 lakh psychotropic tablets valued at Rs9 crore in the illicit market.
The operation led to the arrest of five key accused, exposing an organised network that used logistics firms, courier services, and export consignments to smuggle banned pharmaceutical drugs abroad.
The investigation began on October 7, 2025, when the Crime Branch laid a trap in Sarita Vihar and arrested Mohammad Abid, recovering 54,000 Tramadol Hydrochloride tablets weighing 14.472 kg. Abid revealed that he procured the drugs from his son-in-law, Javed Khan, who was subsequently arrested on October 30.
During questioning, Khan named Sunil Kumar, owner of Prahlad Logistics in Samalka, as his source. Kumar was arrested on November 2, and led police to Vishnu Dutt Sharma, an exporter also arrested that day. Sharma disclosed further links to Vikash Singh alias Ishwar Singh and TC Sedana, with Vikash Singh apprehended on November 6. Authorities are pursuing Naushad alias Bablu as a proclaimed offender.
Sharma had exported a container to the UK under the guise of household goods, concealing 32 boxes containing Tramadol and other banned substances. Thanks to coordination with Customs authorities, the shipment was intercepted and returned to India. A joint raid at Mundra Port warehouse on February 16 led to the seizure of:
13,80,000 Alprazolam tablets (404.340 kg)
1,95,800 Alprazolam tablets (48.950 kg)
94,000 Tramadol tablets (25.568 kg)
41,600 Tramadol tablets (10.940 kg)
30,000 Zolpidem tablets (11.340 kg)
52,000 Nitrazepam tablets (12.792 kg)
Combined with the earlier Tramadol seizure, the total stands at 18,47,400 tablets weighing 528.402 kg.
Investigators said Abid, formerly in the animal feed business, coordinated local distribution. Khan, a Customs House Agent, allegedly facilitated illegal shipments, while Sunil Kumar and Sharma misused logistics and export platforms. Vikash Singh, running a cargo courier service, reportedly coordinated movement of the consignments.
The Delhi Police reiterated their commitment to cracking down on international drug networks and tracking down all remaining associates.
