By Martin Shwenk Leade
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A routine vehicle check near Bengali Market in Delhi has led to the unravelling of a global drug trafficking network spread across four continents and more than 10 countries. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), during an operation codenamed Med-Max, dismantled a transnational syndicate involved in the online sale and shipment of controlled pharmaceutical drugs using encrypted platforms, cryptocurrency, and drop-shipping methods, a TOI report stated.Network spread across India, US, Europe, and AustraliaNCB’s investigation revealed that the syndicate was running illegal pharma exports using Indian B2B platforms and operated via encrypted messaging apps like Telegram. The group accepted payments in cryptocurrency, PayPal, and Western Union, making tracking difficult. The probe exposed supply chains linked to the US, Australia, Estonia, Spain, and Switzerland.The operation also triggered a parallel crackdown in Alabama, US, where the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) arrested a key suspect and seized 17,000 tablets of controlled medicines along with 700 grams of Zolpidem.How the operation beganThe investigation started on May 25, when NCB鈥檚 HQ Operations team intercepted a car near Mandi House, Delhi, and recovered 3.7 kg of Tramadol tablets. The two individuals arrested were B. Pharma graduates from a private university in Noida.鈥淭he arrested persons confessed to operating a vendor profile on a major Indian B2B platform, selling pharmaceutical pills to clients across the US, Europe, and Australia,鈥 said a senior official.Live EventsLinks from Mayur Vihar to Karnataka and beyondBased on their leads, NCB arrested a key associate in Mayur Vihar, who revealed links to a contact in Udupi, Karnataka. This contact was managing bulk drug orders for export to the US. From Udupi, officials traced 50 international shipments, which were sent to various countries. The information was shared with global enforcement agencies and Interpol.Further arrests were made in New Delhi and Jaipur. The individuals were allegedly handling logistics and supply operations in India.UAE-based mastermind and Australia pill facility exposedThe kingpin of the operation has been identified and traced to the UAE. NCB is coordinating with authorities in the UAE for further action. Investigations also uncovered a hidden pill-manufacturing unit in Australia connected to the network. The facility has now been dismantled by local law enforcement.”The modus operandi of the network involved a sophisticated global operation, with the mastermind operating out of the UAE, orchestrating both the orders and supply modules with a high level of coordination and compartmentalisation,” said an investigator.The syndicate also operated a call centre from Udupi to handle sales enquiries.Crypto, hawala trail and private platforms under lensNCB is examining the financial trail involving cryptocurrency wallets and hawala transactions. It is also engaging with private B2B platforms to tackle the rise of illegal online pharmacies promoting the sale of regulated medicines.Union home minister Amit Shah acknowledged the breakthrough on social media platform X.鈥淐ongratulations 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.鈥滺e added, 鈥淧M Modi led govt is determined to saw off every drug cartel and protect our youth, no matter where they operate from.鈥漈he NCB has confirmed that operations in other international jurisdictions are ongoing.(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
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(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News onDelhi police drug bustglobal drug trafficking networkNarcotics Control Bureauonline drug salesUAE drug kingpincryptocurrency drug tradedrug trafficking operation(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, Budget 2025 Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online….moreless
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