New Delhi: A groundbreaking investigation by the Delhi Police has shed light on the sophisticated methods used by drug traffickers, particularly concerning a staggering Rs 7,000-crore cocaine seizure. Reports indicate that buyers employed pictures of Indian banknotes as covert codes to verify their legitimacy to drug sellers before receiving their consignments. This revelation highlights the intricate communication strategies within the illegal drug trade.
The investigation centers around Tushar Goel, who was arrested alongside six others in connection with this case. His godown in Mahipalpur was identified as a crucial transit hub for drug distribution across India. On October 2, police successfully recovered a massive 562 kilograms of cocaine from this location. Shortly thereafter, another significant recovery of 208 kilograms was made in Ramesh Nagar. Investigators believe that this second stash was also meant to be stored at Goel’s godown; however, its caretaker fled to the UK shortly after the first seizure.
The method of using banknote images as a verification code was employed to ensure that only legitimate buyers could access the drugs. According to police sources, potential customers would present Goel with a digital image of a currency note previously sent by a Dubai-based kingpin. This system allowed Goel to confirm the buyer’s identity before handing over the drugs. Reports suggest that Goel was set to receive approximately Rs 30 crore for storing and distributing the cocaine consignment.
Further complicating the situation, police have indicated that money for these transactions was transmitted to Goel in cryptocurrency, underscoring the evolving tactics of drug traffickers who leverage digital currencies to evade detection.
Goel’s operations extended to working with various syndicates, including one involving Bharat Kumar Jain, a Mumbai-based associate. Jain, who was unfamiliar to Goel, similarly used a picture of an Indian currency note to secure a 15-kilogram consignment of cocaine. This transaction further emphasizes the reliance on coded communication among participants in this illicit trade.
The Special Cell of the Delhi Police apprehended Goel, Jain, and two of Goel’s associates on October 2, right outside the Mahipalpur godown. In subsequent days, law enforcement agencies continued their efforts, arresting three more individuals, including Jitender Gill, an Indian-origin resident of the United Kingdom, in Amritsar. On Thursday, police also took into custody a suspect named Akhlak from Hapur in Uttar Pradesh.
The series of arrests and the findings from the ongoing investigation illustrate the complexities and challenges faced by law enforcement in combating drug trafficking in India. As the police delve deeper into the operations of these drug syndicates, the use of innovative coding systems and cryptocurrency has raised new questions about how drug traffickers adapt to changing law enforcement techniques.
This evolving narrative in the drug trade highlights not only the challenges faced by authorities but also the alarming creativity of those engaged in illegal activities. The Delhi Police’s determination to dismantle this network reflects a broader commitment to combating drug trafficking and ensuring public safety.
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