New Delhi [India], May 27 (ANI): In a major crackdown on illegal pharmaceutical trafficking, Delhi’s Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) dismantled an interstate drug cartel operating across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh. The operation led to the arrest of five alleged traffickers and the seizure of Alprazolam, Nitrazepam tablets, and Tramadol capsules valued at over Rs 5 lakh.
The operation began with the arrest of 20-year-old Vikas, from whom 28 boxes containing Dicyclomine HCI and Tramadol HCI capsules (totaling 336 grams and 6,720 capsules) were recovered. Acting on this lead, officials conducted a raid in the presence of Sanjay Kumar, Drug Inspector from the Department of Drug Control, Delhi, and arrested 43-year-old Sudhir, a medical store owner. From Sudhir’s store, police recovered 505 Alprazolam (0.5 mg) tablets and 664 Tramadol (50 mg) capsules.
Investigators identified Sunil Kumar Bhardwaj as a key figure in the drug trafficking network. Vikas admitted to procuring medicines from Sunil’s house on March 8. A subsequent raid led to the discovery that Sunil was absconding. A Non-Bailable Warrant (NBW) was issued on April 1, and he was arrested on April 5. Sunil confessed to having partnered with Sudhir for the past 6–7 years in running two medical stores.
Further investigation revealed that the contraband had been purchased from one Jeetu. Acting on this information, a raid was conducted at Jeetu’s residence in Sangam Vihar, Delhi, where he was not found, and his phone was switched off. However, police recovered two white plastic sacks from his ground-floor room containing 18,000 Tramadol tablets (1.8 kg) and 7,400 Nitrazepam (Elza-10) tablets.
On April 8, 32-year-old Ajeet was apprehended from the Tilak Marg area of New Delhi. During questioning, he admitted to purchasing the Tramadol capsules from Shivam Medicos in Gorakhpur, operated by one Pandey, and the Nitrazepam tablets from Vijay Goel, who is currently lodged in Agra Jail under the NDPS Act. A search also led to the recovery of Rs 69,500 in cash from Ajeet.
During police remand, Ajeet was taken to Gorakhpur, but the accused source, Ambar Agrahari, could not be located. On April 13, Ambar, 43, was arrested from a hotel in Delhi, and Rs 1,16,000 in cash was recovered. He confessed to operating the cartel along with Surender Nath Pandey, proprietor of two medical stores.
According to officials, the duo used fake bills to procure pharmaceutical drugs such as Tramadol and Alprazolam from suppliers in Gorakhpur and sold them in Delhi at inflated prices through Ajeet Kumar. The medicines were found to have been sourced from pharmaceutical companies based in Gorakhpur.
Investigations are ongoing to dismantle the remaining network and trace additional culprits linked to the racket. (ANI)
About The Author
