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Mumbai Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has dismantled what is believed to be the largest drug cartel in India, leading to the arrest of six individuals linked to the operation. Officials revealed that the cartel, primarily run by highly educated individuals, has trafficked drugs worth approximately ₹1,128 crore across the country in the past two years.
Authorities identified Naveen Chichkar, a Navi Mumbai resident currently residing abroad, as the mastermind behind the cartel. Chichkar, who studied Criminal Psychology and completed a course in Film and Television in London, has been running the drug trade through his associates and remains on the run. Officials disclosed that three other arrested individuals had also studied abroad.
The cartel primarily deals in cocaine and hybrid strain hydroponic weed, smuggling drugs into Mumbai via air cargo from the United States before distributing them nationwide. Investigators also found evidence of drug shipments being sent to Australia.
The breakthrough in the case came when NCB officials traced the source of drug smuggling in Mumbai using technical and human intelligence on January 1. The investigation revealed that the accused had sold at least 80 to 90 kg of cocaine and around 60 kg of hybrid strain hydroponic weed over two years.
Among those arrested are a 30-year-old hawala operator, H Patel, and a trader, H Mane, from Navi Mumbai. Hawala, an informal money transfer system, was used to circulate the drug money among the cartel’s operators.
Authorities have seized 11.540 kg of high-grade cocaine, 4.9 kg of hybrid strain hydroponic weed, 200 packets (5.5 kg) of cannabis gummies, and ₹1,60,000 in cash from Navi Mumbai. Investigations are ongoing to track down the remaining individuals involved in the operation.
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