NCB Dismantles Transnational Drug Trafficking Syndicate, Shah Hails Crackdown

PTI, New Delhi, July 2, 2025 : The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has successfully dismantled a transnational drug trafficking syndicate, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah terming the crackdown a stellar example of multi-agency coordination.

Shah also said that the Narendra Modi government is determined to eliminate every drug cartel and protect the country's youth, no matter where they operate from.

In one of the most far-reaching crackdowns against the illegal pharmaceutical drug trade, the NCB has successfully dismantled a transnational drug trafficking syndicate that used encrypted digital platforms, drop-shipping models, and cryptocurrency to smuggle controlled medicines across four continents, an official statement said.

"Congratulations to NCB and all agencies on busting a global drug cartel. The probe set a stellar example of multi-agency coordination, resulting in 8 arrests and seizures of 5 consignments while triggering crackdowns in the US and Australia against the ring that operates across 4 continents and 10+ nations," the Home Minister stated.

He said the agencies are constantly monitoring the sophisticated modes like crypto payments and anonymous drop shippers used by these gangs. "PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji-led government is determined to saw off every drug cartel and protect our youth, no matter where they operate from," he said.

What began with a routine vehicle interception in New Delhi unravelled into a sophisticated criminal web operating across India, US, Australia, and Europe – showcasing the global reach of illicit pharma networks and NCB's capability to lead coordinated international enforcement actions, the release said.

This operation uncovered a global network spanning four continents and more than 10 countries.

On May 25, acting on secret intelligence, the NCB team intercepted a car near Mandi House in Delhi. From the possession of its two occupants – both B. Pharma graduates from a private university in Noida – 3.7 kg of Tramadol tablets were seized.

The duo confessed to operating a vendor profile on a major Indian B2B platform, from where they sold pharmaceutical pills to clients across the US, Europe, and Australia.

Leads from the interrogation led to a stockist in Roorkee, followed by the arrest of a key associate in Mayur Vihar in Delhi, who revealed connections with a contact in Udupi (Karnataka) responsible for organizing bulk orders for shipments to the US.

From Udupi, the NCB uncovered data on 50 international consignments, including: 29 packages from US to US, 18 from Australia to Australia, one each to Estonia, Spain, and Switzerland, the statement said.

The above information was shared with global counterparts and Interpol, leading to the identification and arrest of a bulk re-shipper and money launderer in Alabama in the US by the US DEA, along with a massive haul of controlled medicines.

The syndicate operated on encrypted communication platforms like Telegram, relied on cryptocurrency payments, PayPal, Western Union, and used anonymous international drop shippers to evade detection.

Further digital forensics led to arrests of two more Indian nationals from New Delhi and Jaipur, who handled logistics and supply-side operations, the statement said.

The operators never shipped in their home countries and coordinated through other drop-shippers in the network to avoid legal consequences.

The kingpin, who coordinated international linkages and finances, has been identified and located in the UAE, the statement said, adding that the NCB is actively working in collaboration with UAE authorities.

Investigations further revealed the existence of a clandestine pill manufacturing facility in Australia, directly tied to the syndicate.