Indian Police Seize 328 Kilograms of Drug Methamphetamine in the Capital, New Delhi

Indian authorities have delivered a major blow to transnational synthetic drug trafficking, seizing a massive haul of 328 kilograms of methamphetamine in the capital, Delhi, under a high-profile operation codenamed “Operation Crystal Fortress.” The bust, described by officials as one of the largest synthetic drug seizures in the history of the national capital, has exposed a sophisticated cartel run by foreign-based operatives and utilising domestic logistics networks. The illicit consignment, recovered from a residence in Delhi’s Chhatarpur area, has an estimated street value of ₹2.6 Billion (approximately $31.5 million USD).

The joint operation was the result of sustained intelligence gathering by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the Delhi Police Special Cell. Two individuals have been arrested in connection with the seizure, including a woman from Nagaland and a sales manager from Uttar Pradesh, who was reportedly using fake SIM cards and encrypted communication apps to coordinate the distribution on instructions from foreign handlers. The investigation revealed that the arrested woman’s residence was being used as a critical storage and delivery point for the cartel. Union Home Minister Amit Shah was quick to congratulate the agencies, stating in a public communication that the government is “shattering drug cartels at an unprecedented pace,” and called the operation a “brilliant example of seamless multi-agency coordination” to achieve the vision for a ‘drug-free India’. Sources within the NCB have confirmed to the local media that the alleged kingpin is operating from abroad and is already wanted in connection with a major cocaine seizure in Delhi last year, prompting Indian officials to seek cooperation from international enforcement partners for his deportation. The NCB further emphasized its commitment to dismantle synthetic drug networks, pointing citizens to the MANAS National Narcotics Helpline (1933) to report drug-related information.

The scale of the seizure has drawn attention from civil society groups. Samyak, a leading NGO in India focused on substance abuse awareness and rehabilitation, has frequently highlighted the rising threat of Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS), noting that the country’s extensive pharmaceutical manufacturing base and porous borders make it a significant target for trafficking. “While we laud the enforcement agencies for this monumental seizure, it underscores the need for greater investment in community-level prevention and rehabilitation infrastructure,” a spokesperson for the organization was quoted as saying, emphasizing that law enforcement must be complemented by social support to fully mitigate the drug menace. Authorities are currently tracing the cartel’s supply chain, financial links, and logistics nodes to ensure the entire network is dismantled.