In a significant breakthrough against narcotics syndicates, the Crime Branch&rsquo;s Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) has dismantled an interstate drug cartel, seizing heroin worth Rs 17.8 crore and arresting multiple operatives linked to the network.
The operation began on June 28, when police arrested Gaurav, 24 year old from Rohini with 1.4 kg heroin. Investigations revealed his link to Vansh Popat, aged 19, who was later arrested on September 2 with 26 grams of heroin in a raid led by ANTF teams.
Popat&rsquo;s interrogation led to the syndicate&rsquo;s main supplier, Arslam alias Danish (26) from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. On September 6, a Crime Branch team intercepted him near Milak, Bareilly, recovering 2.12 kg of heroin from his Hyundai i20. The car and a scooter used for drug trafficking were seized.
According to investigators, the accused had developed a structured supply chain to push heroin into Delhi and adjoining states. Gaurav, a school dropout from a liquor trade family, turned to selling smack in 2023 after meeting Popat, who soon expanded into bulk procurement with Arslam.
DCP Crime Branch ANTF Sanjeev Kumar Yadav said, &ldquo;Further efforts are being made to trace the entire supply chain and identify the source and destination of the recovered contraband.&rdquo;
Officials added that the bust highlights the increasing attempts by narco syndicates to flood Delhi markets, even as the Crime Branch steps up intelligence driven raids to disrupt the networks.

Crime Branch nabs key operatives, seizes heroin in major anti-narcotics crackdown

Delhi Police Bust Rs 17.8 Cr Drug Cartel

Crime Branch nabs key operatives, seizes heroin in major anti-narcotics crackdown

September 9, 2025 | 16:57 IST