Delhi Crime Branch Busts International Drug Cartel, Seizes ₹2 Crore Hydroponic Weed

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): On January 19, 2025, the Delhi Crime Branch successfully dismantled a major international drug cartel operating via the dark web, seizing 6 kilograms of hydroponic weed worth over ₹2 crore. This operation was part of the larger initiative 'Operation Kawach', aimed at curbing illicit activities such as drug trafficking, illegal arms trade and liquor smuggling, just ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections.

The investigation was triggered after the police intercepted several drug parcels at the Foreign Post Office which contained over 5 kilograms of hydroponic weed imported from the USA. Despite the parcels being addressed to fictitious names, the authorities used data mining techniques and internet communication analysis to trace Abdul Malik, a key member of the syndicate. Following a raid on his premises the police recovered an additional 871 grams of weed and a mobile phone used for coordinating drug transactions.

Malik, arrested along with Mayank Nayyar identified as the kingpin of the operation revealed that Nayyar had turned to drug trafficking after his family’s cancer medicine export business faced setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Leveraging his knowledge of the dark web, Nayyar began importing high-demand hydroponic weed from the USA with payments made via cryptocurrency, while Malik was responsible for coordinating deliveries. This bust highlights the Delhi police’s continued efforts to combat drug-related crimes, especially in light of the upcoming elections. The sophisticated methods used by the cartel, including blockchain-based communication apps and "dead delivery" techniques, reflect the evolving landscape of drug trafficking in the digital age.