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Meth cartels and ISI: How Kerala became India’s narco transit point

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New Delhi, Sep 30: There has been a marked rise in the number of drug-related incidents in Kerala in recent years. Security agencies say they had sensed a pattern setting in where the drug smuggling routes would be predominantly through the southern states.

However, the suspension of four prison officials in Kerala for trafficking narcotics to inmates clearly indicates that there is a rot within the system, which has ensured that the drug menace has become big in the state.

Nearly 95 per cent of the narcotics market is under the control of the Dawood Ibrahim syndicate. This is the same syndicate which is backed by the ISI that managed to compromise the state of Punjab. The drugs from Pakistan would enter Punjab in large numbers before it is circulated to the rest of the country. However, this route has become too obvious, and the security agencies have managed to curb this menace to some extent.

The D-syndicate realised that in order to expand, it would need to tap into the southern markets. This is when it decided to create modules in Sri Lanka.

The drugs from Pakistan would land in Sri Lanka before it is smuggled into India by sea. Officials say that one of the most preferred drugs in Kerala is methamphetamine or meth. There is also a huge demand for this drug in the rest of the country, and sensing the same, the syndicate decided to make Kerala a transit point.

Officials say that Kerala is a favoured destination owing to several factors, such as the long coastline and the proximity to international borders.

The operations are overseen by Haji Salim, who is a member of the D-Syndicate. He is in charge of all the operations in South India. Over the last couple of years, Salim has managed to build a deep-rooted network in South India through his operations in Kerala.

Central agencies have often complained that there is corruption within the system, due to which the monitoring is very low. This has made it easy for the drug smugglers to get the drugs into Kerala from Sri Lanka and then circulate them across the country.

Once the meth lands in Kerala, it is smuggled into the rest of the country through the land borders that the state has with Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

In recent times, it has also been found that the Andhra Pradesh border is used to smuggle cannabis. Intelligence Bureau officials say that the drugs are mainly smuggled into the northeastern states from Kerala. However, in recent times, drugs that land in Kerala are also smuggled with the help of international cartels into Thailand and other foreign countries.

The drug smuggling into Thailand is at its highest as there is a very high demand for the same. The D-syndicate has roped in a large number of Nigerians to execute this trade. The Nigerians, who gained experience in this trade while operating in Goa, are now taking over the international operations for the D-Gang.

Officials dealing with the menace say that these cartels are not smuggling meth in small numbers. Their deals are audacious in nature, and the recent seizure of meth worth Rs 30,000 crore at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is proof of the same. However, after this seizure, these cartels have changed their modus operandi. They are now bringing in drugs in smaller quantities, as this makes the possibility of detection low. Every tactic at their disposal is being used to avoid detection.

The ISI is very reliant on this trade after the Indian agencies have successfully put down the fake currency racket to a large extent. The funds that are generated through this trade are used to fund terror against India, and hence, this trade is of extreme importance to the Pakistani spy agency.

Crime

Delhi Police bust illegal gambling den in Vikaspuri; four held, Rs 74,000 recovered

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New Delhi, July 9: Delhi Police busted an illegal gambling den operating from a two-storeyed jhuggi in Vikaspuri on Thursday, apprehending four alleged gamblers. The Police team also recovered Rs 74,070 in suspected stake money along with gambling-related material during the raid.

According to the police, the operation was carried out on July 7 after the Special Staff received specific and credible information about an illegal gambling racket being run from Indra Camp No. 4 in Vikaspuri.

Based on the tip-off, a raiding team was formed under the leadership of Inspector Rajesh Maurya and the ACP (Operations), under the overall supervision of senior officers.

The team immediately reached the identified location and conducted a raid. During the operation, four persons were allegedly found actively engaged in gambling, while 16 other individuals were also present at the premises.

Police recovered Rs 74,070, suspected to be gambling stake money, along with satta parchis, a chakri and number charts allegedly used for conducting illegal gambling activities.

During the investigation, police identified Shahid as the alleged kingpin behind the gambling racket. According to officials, Shahid has previously been involved in five gambling-related cases. His associate, Akram, was allegedly responsible for collecting the stake money from gamblers.

Both Shahid and Akram were absent during the raid. Police said efforts are underway to trace and apprehend the duo and ascertain their complete role in the illegal gambling operation.

The four apprehended accused have been identified as Shekhar (24), a resident of Vikaspuri, who is allegedly involved in three previous criminal cases; Sachin (22), a resident of JJ Colony, who has two previous criminal cases against him; Md. Nadeem (31), a resident of Shiv Vihar, who is allegedly involved in one previous criminal case; and Sahil (19), a resident of Uttam Nagar, who also has one previous criminal case.

Police said the recovered items, including the cash, satta parchis, chakri and number charts, have been seized as evidence.

Further investigation is underway to identify other persons associated with the racket and to establish the full extent of the illegal gambling network operating in the area.

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Crime

Delhi Police solve cab carjacking case within 24 hours, three arrested

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New Delhi, July 9: The Delhi Police’s South District has solved a cab carjacking and robbery case within 24 hours of the incident, arresting three accused and recovering the robbed taxi, valuablesm and the weapon allegedly used in the crime.

According to police, the breakthrough was achieved by the staff of Police Station Fatehpur Beri after an intensive technical and field investigation launched on the complaint of a cab driver.

The operation was carried out by a team comprising Sub-Inspectors Nasib Singh, Vikas Yadav, and Ravi Raghav, Head Constables Chandram, Mukesh Kumar, and Pradeep Kumar under the leadership of SHO Inspector Rajesh Sharma and the overall supervision of the ACP, Mehrauli.

Police registered FIR No. 287/2026 under Sections 309(4), 351(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Soon after the case was registered, investigators analysed CCTV footage, ride-booking details and other technical inputs while simultaneously conducting multiple raids at different locations.

During the investigation, sustained technical surveillance led to the identification of one of the accused, following which continuous field operations resulted in the arrest of all three accused within 24 hours. The police also recovered the robbed taxi, the complainant’s mobile phone, wallet, identity documents and the knife allegedly used during the offence.

According to the investigation, the accused targeted cab drivers during late-night hours by booking rides through a mobile application. After reaching an isolated location, they allegedly threatened the driver at knifepoint, assaulted him, and robbed the vehicle along with his valuables before fleeing from the spot.

The arrested accused have been identified as Mohd. Kaif, 25, a resident of Ghitorni village in Delhi and originally from Uttarakhand’s Haldwani, Junaid Ali, 22, also a resident of Ghitorni village and originally from Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur, and Mohd Kaif, 20, a resident of Islam Colony, Mehrauli, originally from Bihar’s Begusarai. Police said none of the three accused has any previous criminal involvement.

The recovered items include the Maruti Suzuki Dzire taxi, a knife, the complainant’s Vivo mobile phone, another mobile phone allegedly used to book the ride, a wallet containing cash, Aadhaar card, PAN card, driving licence, registration certificate, ATM cards and other important documents.

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Crime

Kolkata man arrested for allegedly raping daughter’s friend in Tiljala

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Kolkata, July 9: A man has been arrested for allegedly raping his daughter’s friend in the Tiljala area of east Kolkata, police said on Thursday.

The arrest was made on Wednesday night following a complaint lodged by the victim’s family. The victim’s medical examination and statement are currently being recorded.

According to the police, the victim has been friends with the accused’s daughter for a long time and was familiar with the family.

She had reportedly been staying at her friend’s residence for a few days due to problems at her own home. During this period, the accused allegedly exploited opportunities when other family members were away and sexually assaulted her inside the house multiple times.

Initially, the young woman did not tell anyone about the incident out of fear and shame. It is alleged that the accused threatened to kill her if she disclosed the matter.

Police also said the victim did not initially disclose the alleged assault due to fear and shame. The accused is also alleged to have threatened to kill her and subsequently subjected her to repeated sexual abuse. After her health deteriorated, she informed her family members and her friend about the incidents.

The young woman then filed a written complaint with Tiljala police station. Based on the complaint, the police arrested the accused on Wednesday. A case has been registered against him under multiple sections, including rape. The Tiljala police station is investigating the incident.

Police said all aspects of the case are being examined and the allegations will be verified through the victim’s statement and other evidence collected during the investigation. Officials added that no further details can be disclosed at this stage as the probe is ongoing and the matter is sensitive.

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