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NCB is investigating an illegal narcotics distribution network in the western metropolis (Representational)
New Delhi:
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) said on Saturday it seized approximately Rs 4 million worth of cocaine, arrested a person from Mumbai and is investigating an illegal narcotics distribution ring in the western metropolis that has “possible links” with “high profile”. drug addicts.
The federal agency seized a total of 670 grams of cocaine from a package that arrived in Delhi from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, earlier this month.
“The contraband was hidden in a package containing tailoring material or a roll of thread,” said NCB deputy director of operations KPS Malhotra.
The agency carried out a “controlled delivery” operation and later arrested the package’s recipient, S Ghangale, a resident of the Vasai area of Mumbai, it said.
The controlled delivery mechanism allows NCB to keep package delivery alive, even after the contraband is seized and replaced with a fictitious package.
Under the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS), the NCB Director General is authorized to order a controlled delivery operation to unravel all layers of a drug cartel or syndicate.
NCB CEO Rakesh Asthana had issued the controlled delivery order in this case, Malhotra said.
“Examination of the arrested man unraveled the network and modus operandi. Ghangale has association with some high-profile drug traffickers from Mumbai, who have a dual profile of being a property trader or construction contractor and a drug dealer,” said Mr. Malhotra. .
The network also features DJs and other party planners, who are connected to Mumbai party circles, he said.
“The (narcotics) distribution network in Mumbai under investigation … has potential links to high-profile users,” he said.
The man was placed in pretrial detention in transit and will be brought before a court in Delhi, the official from the Office of Narcotics Control said.
Another official said that the seized quantity of cocaine is worth about 4 million rupees on the international market.
