New Delhi, August 23: The Crime Branch of Delhi Police has dismantled an alleged international narco-terror module involved in the procurement, concealment, and covert shipment of opium abroad. They also uncovered a suspected terror financing network linked to Khalistani terrorist Arshdeep Singh Gill, also known as Arsh Dalla.
The investigation initiated by the Crime Branch in Dwarka began with the interception of an export parcel destined for Canada, which led to the recovery of 5.138 kilograms of opium. Four alleged members of the syndicate were arrested, revealing a vast network operating in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and beyond.
According to the Crime Branch, the estimated value of the seized consignment in the international market in Canada is approximately ₹3.5 crore. The case began on February 7 when the Crime Branch received specific information that a parcel booked via a courier company in New Delhi contained narcotics hidden beneath mangoes and household items.
A raid team arrived at the courier company’s premises in Motinagar, New Delhi, and intercepted the parcel before it could be exported. Although the package was labeled as containing mangoes, officials discovered a specially crafted false bottom concealing 2.998 kilograms of opium. Police stated that this concealment was specifically designed to evade routine security screenings and customs inspections. A case was registered under Sections 18/23 of the NDPS Act at the Crime Branch police station.
Authorities indicated that instead of treating the seizure as an isolated recovery, investigators traced the entire courier chain, identified dispatchers, examined digital devices, scrutinized financial transactions, and followed technical leads.
Subsequent investigations led to further recoveries and the identification of additional members of the alleged syndicate. During the investigation, multiple raids were conducted in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. Police intercepted more export consignments, recovering 921 grams of opium from another parcel bound for Canada, followed by 1,196 grams from a third consignment, and 23 grams from the possession of accused Simranjeet Singh.
According to the Crime Branch, continuous questioning of the accused, forensic analysis of mobile phones, and analysis of encrypted communications revealed an organized interstate network with various modules responsible for the procurement, concealment, transportation, packaging, and international dispatch of narcotics.
Ultimately, four main accused were arrested, while investigations into the roles of conspirators based abroad are ongoing.
Police reported that a significant finding of the investigation is the alleged link of the narcotics network to Arshdeep Singh, also known as Arsh Dalla, a declared Khalistani terrorist operating from abroad. The Crime Branch alleged that the opium smuggled from India was intended for Dalla and his foreign network. It is claimed that the drugs were sold abroad, with a portion of the proceeds used to finance and enhance the gang’s criminal activities, while some funds were directed to enemy handlers based overseas.
The Crime Branch noted that the opium, purchased in India at approximately ₹1.5 lakh per kilogram, could fetch between 50 to 100 Canadian dollars per gram on Canadian streets. According to police, at current exchange rates, this translates to roughly ₹3,300 to ₹6,700 per gram, yielding traffickers profits 20 to 40 times their purchase costs.
Investigators revealed that the syndicate employed an advanced system to avoid detection at various stages. The opium was reportedly sourced from a secret contact linked to Arsh Dalla in Canada, using GPS coordinates shared via encrypted applications to locate drop-off points.
Narcotics were concealed within cartons of mangoes, under fake silver-foil bottoms, and in some cases, hidden within clothing. Allegedly, fake or unauthorized KYC documents and fictitious consignee details were used to book parcels under unknown names. Consignments were sent through multiple intermediaries to obscure their true origins and handlers.
Regarding the four arrested members, the Crime Branch stated that investigations continue against absconding conspirators, including the declared terrorist Arsh Dalla residing abroad, along with his handlers and associates operating in Punjab.
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