New Delhi, May 14: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has successfully extradited a major fugitive, Iqbal Singh, from Portugal. This operation was coordinated with the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Singh is a key member of a drug trafficking network linked to terrorism, involved in smuggling heroin from Pakistan into India.
According to a press release from the CBI’s information section, Iqbal Singh was wanted in NIA case RC-23/2020/NIA/DLI. He faces charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA), and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS).
Investigative agencies report that Singh was actively involved in large-scale heroin trafficking from Pakistan across international borders. He operated an organized network for the smuggling, distribution, and sale of heroin in India, which was linked to terrorism.
Upon NIA’s recommendation, the CBI issued a Red Notice against Iqbal Singh through Interpol. The CBI’s Bharatpol team monitored his location in Portugal, leading to his arrest by Portuguese authorities. Following this, a joint team from the CBI and NIA completed the legal processes and submitted an extradition request. A special NIA team traveled to Portugal and brought Iqbal Singh back to India on May 13, 2026.
The CBI stated that, as the National Central Bureau (NCB) for Interpol in India, it coordinates with all law enforcement agencies through Bharatpol. Over the past few years, coordinated efforts with the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and other agencies have led to the extradition of more than 160 wanted criminals from abroad to India.
Iqbal Singh’s arrest exemplifies India’s zero-tolerance policy against narcotics trafficking and the financing of terrorism. This successful extradition has dealt a significant blow to the international networks of drug lords and terrorists. The joint CBI and NIA team is now conducting extensive interrogations of Singh to uncover the entire network. Agencies are also actively working to bring other fugitives hiding in foreign countries back to India.
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