Rs 100 core drug cartel busted by Delhi Police spans across continents
Five African nationals have been arrested so far and drugs worth more than Rs 100 crore in the international market were seized in the operation, police said.
The syndicate allegedly headed by Nigeria-based kingpin Callistus alias Kalis spanned across continents, they added.
Additional Deputy Commisioner of Police (Crime) Mangesh Kashyap, the cartel received operated through a central command in Nigeria, where handlers received orders from Indian-clients via fake call centre numbers and social media and they relayed them to delivery agents based in Delhi.
'Cocaine, MDMA and ganja were trafficked using encrypted messaging apps, forged documents and a structured distribution network of Indian-based African nationals. The cartel's Indian arm operated using a logistics model inspired by food delivery apps. Deliveries were made based on customer's live locations," he said.
Investigations revealed that the syndicate maintained detailed ledgers of transactions, with records dating back to 2019 showing monthly sales exceeding Rs 1 crore in areas like Vasant Kunj alone, the officer added.
Delivery and cash handoffs were designed to maintain multiple operational layers, insulating the top brass from exposure. To maintain anonymity, delivery agents wore specific markers such as checked shirts and black helmets.
Orders were processed through a centralised 'call centre" run from Nigeria, with arrested operatives revealing that if one delivery agent was caught, they were quickly replaced to avoid disruption in the chain.
The case came to light on June 13, when police intercepted a suspicious parcel at a courier facility in Moti Nagar and seized 895 grams of MDMA. This led them to Kameni Philipp, who had a fake Cameroonian passport, and he was found in possession of more than two kilograms of pure cocaine molded into waterproof bricks.
During interrogation, Philipp revealed that the internal functioning of the cartel, including how UK-based phone numbers were used to mask the origin of instructions and how vehicles were identified using car registration numbers for swift handovers.
Philip alias Tall Guy, another delivery agent, operated in South Delhi and Saket and followed instructions received over social media calls. He also disclosed that payments and stock pickups were managed through anonymous drop locations to shield higher-ups.
Based on further leads, police arrested three more foreign nationals — Adore, Kelechi Chikwe alias Victor and Ibe Chinedu Austin — from various locations across Delhi A total of 2.7 kilogram of cocaine, 1 kilogram of MDMA, more than 1 kilogram of cannabis and Rs 2.7 lakh in cash were seized from the accused, police said.
Adore, who ran the drug hub from a makeshift kitchen in Chhatarpur, disclosed that he had received more than seven kilograms of cocaine from Kalis and laundered the proceeds through through Nigerian shell firms and hawala channels.
Forged passports from Nigeria, Cameroon and Cote d'Ivoire were also recovered by the police team.
The syndicate allegedly smuggled Colombian cocaine into India using Indian women couriers — believed to have lower risk profile at International airports — and then adulterated the drugs locally to increase yield five fold.
Police said the cartel had generated more than Rs 85 crore through its India operations in just the past six months.
Separate courier-based channels were used to export MDMA abroad, while hawala networks were employed to launder and remit drug proceeds to Nigeria, police added.
Efforts are on to trace other operatives and financial links. Delhi Police has also initiated communication with foreign law enforcement agencies for international coordination, officials said. PTI SSJ SSJ SHS OZ OZ
First Published:
July 25, 2025, 21:00 IST
News agency-feeds Rs 100 core drug cartel busted by Delhi Police spans across continents
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
7 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Attacks on Indian migrants are against Ireland's values
India and Ireland share deep historical and cultural roots that have allowed our two countries, despite our vastly different sizes, to form close and enduring bonds. Today, India and Ireland share a relationship built on shared values and strong educational and economic ties. Central to this are the tens of thousands of Indian nationals who call Ireland home. Outside of citizens from the UK or EU, Indians account for the largest migrant population in Ireland. Ireland has long prided itself on its warm welcome and hospitality. The overwhelming majority of Irish people welcome migrants into their society, workplaces, and homes. (ANI Photo) The Indian community is an integral and valued part of Irish society. Indians living in Ireland are contributing immensely to our economy, our education and health care sectors, our research institutions, and our cultural life. From IT professionals and scientists, to doctors, nurses, students and entrepreneurs, Indians are helping to shape our present and our future. Their contribution is not only recognised — it is appreciated and celebrated. That is why Ireland has been so stunned by a number of recent assaults on Indians living in Dublin, our capital city. These assaults have been widely reported, both in Ireland and India, and have rightly caused deep concern across both our nations. As Ireland's ambassador to India, I wish to express our strongest condemnation of these appalling and senseless acts. These attacks — carried out by a small number of young people fuelled by misinformation — are deeply at odds with the values of the Irish people. I understand that each incident reported to Ireland's national police service is being investigated rigorously, with a view to apprehending the perpetrators and ensuring that justice will be served for the victims. The Irish embassy in New Delhi and the Irish foreign ministry in Dublin are in close and continuous contact with the Indian embassy in Dublin to share updates and express our support for affected individuals. We understand the anxiety and concern that these recent incidents have caused, both among Indians living in Ireland and their families back home in India. We are taking this matter with the utmost seriousness. These mindless actions could not be further from the values Ireland holds dear. They have generated widespread outrage across Irish society. They are not representative of who the Irish are as a people or as a country. Following a recent assault on an Indian man in the Dublin suburb of Tallaght, the local community responded by holding a rally attended by hundreds of people showing their solidarity with their Indian neighbours. Shamrock Rovers, Ireland's largest and most successful football club, invited members of the Indian community as special guests to their UEFA Conference League match at Tallaght Stadium. This initiative sent a strong, unambiguous message: Hate has no home in Ireland. The gesture by Shamrock Rovers embodied the Ireland we know — a country rooted in decency, openness and respect. Ireland has long been a nation shaped by migration. Five million people live in Ireland, but around the world, 70 million people claim Irish heritage. We are a migrant nation. This history has made us deeply aware of the immigrant experience and instilled in us a lasting commitment to inclusion and empathy. We are proud of the growing Indian diaspora in Ireland and want to see them live in safety, prosperity, and with a sense of belonging. That is, I strongly believe, the experience of the overwhelming number of migrants, from India and elsewhere, in Ireland. Ireland has long prided itself on its warm welcome and hospitality. The overwhelming majority of Irish people welcome migrants into their society, workplaces, and homes. The emergence over recent years of a tiny — but sadly vocal — anti-immigrant movement, largely fuelled by online misinformation, is a new phenomenon for us. We are grappling with it. Thankfully, the vast majority of people utterly reject their attempts to sow division. There is virtually no public support for their manifesto of hate. The hateful actions of a few must never overshadow the goodwill of the many. Let us not allow the voices of division to drown out the voices of friendship, solidarity and respect. The people of Ireland stand with the Indian community and will continue to stand firmly against racism in all its forms. Kevin Kelly is Ireland's ambassador to India. The views expressed are personal.
News18
17 minutes ago
- News18
Two arrested with 23 grams of heroin in Meghalaya
Agency: PTI Last Updated: Shillong, Aug 3 (PTI) Two youths who were returning from Silchar in Assam were arrested here with over 23 grams of heroin, police said Sunday. Acting on a tip-off, police personnel intercepted the bus they were travelling in and arrested them after 23.24 grams of heroin were found in their possession, a police officer said. The accused concealed the heroin in two soap individuals were taken into custody, and a case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Police said that efforts are on to identify and apprehend the supplier, who is believed to be based in Assam. PTI JOP SBN SBN Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
22 minutes ago
- Time of India
Baghel challenges ED, CBI powers in SC, fears arrest & seeks anticipatory bail
Raipur: AICC general secretary and former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel has approached the Supreme Court to challenge the jurisdiction and powers of the CBI and ED , while also seeking anticipatory bail in cases under investigation by the ED, CBI, and the state Economic Offences Wing (EOW). The case is set for a hearing on Monday. Baghel's application follows the arrest of his son, Chaitanya Baghel, by the ED in connection with an alleged Rs 2,100 crore liquor scam. A close aide of the former chief minister told TOI that the plea primarily aims to contest the ED and CBI's authority, alongside the anticipatory bail petition. In his petition, Baghel stated that he fears being targeted for political reasons, similar to his son Chaitanya Baghel, who was taken into custody by the ED last month. Despite seeking protection from arrest in both the liquor scam and the Mahadev betting app cases, Baghel has assured full cooperation with the investigating agencies. Meanwhile, Chaitanya Baghel, currently held in Raipur jail, has also filed a bail petition in the Supreme Court. His counsel, Faizal Rizvi, informed TOI that Chaitanya's plea asserts that his name does not appear in the ED's FIR or any witness statements and claims that his arrest is politically motivated. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Access all TV channels anywhere, anytime Techno Mag Learn More Undo Chaitanya's judicial remand is due to conclude on Monday, after which he will be presented in court. The ED is anticipated to request an extension. The ED arrested Chaitanya on July 18, 2024, under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. His arrest coincided with his 38th birthday and followed what the agency described as new evidence in the alleged scam. According to Rizvi, while the ED alleged that Chaitanya received an interest-free loan of Rs 5 crore from a jeweller, documents submitted in February 2025 indicate that the loan was repaid with interest. The ED further claimed that proceeds from the liquor scam were invested in Chaitanya's real estate project. Earlier this year, the ED raided Bhupesh Baghel's residence in connection with the liquor scam. A month later, the CBI conducted searches at his home regarding the Mahadev betting app case. Raids were also carried out at the residences of his former OSDs. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
