New Delhi, Aug 14: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has secured the return of fugitive drug kingpin Virender Singh Basoya from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking a major breakthrough in India’s crackdown on transnational narcotics syndicates.
Basoya, a Delhi resident wanted in multiple high-profile drug trafficking cases, was taken into custody upon his arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on Friday. He had been arrested in the UAE in June this year following the issuance of an INTERPOL Red Notice at the request of the NCB.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah described the operation as a significant milestone in the government’s zero-tolerance policy against narcotics, saying agencies were relentlessly pursuing drug traffickers hiding abroad.
According to the NCB, Basoya was identified as a key overseas operative in a drug trafficking network linked to the seizure of around 1,837 kg of Mephedrone across Pune and Delhi.
The case originated in February 2024 when Pune City Police seized 500 grams of Mephedrone. Subsequent investigations led to the recovery of about 867 kg of the synthetic drug in Pune and another 970 kg in Delhi. The probe was later transferred to the NCB’s Mumbai Zonal Unit.
Investigators alleged that Basoya coordinated the international operations of the syndicate and facilitated the export of drug consignments from India to overseas destinations. Authorities said the 970-kg Mephedrone haul in Delhi was linked to preparations for exports through courier channels associated with him.
Basoya has also been named in a separate Delhi Police Special Cell investigation into an international cocaine trafficking network. In October 2024, the Special Cell busted a major cartel and recovered more than 1,300 kg of cocaine, Mephedrone and hydroponic weed from locations in Delhi, Hapur, Ghaziabad and Gujarat. Investigators have alleged that Basoya played a role in coordinating procurement, transportation, storage and distribution of narcotics.
The NCB said the operation was carried out under “Operation GLOBAL-HUNT”, an initiative aimed at identifying, locating and bringing back major narcotics traffickers operating from foreign jurisdictions through international cooperation mechanisms, including INTERPOL Red Notices.
Officials said the return of Basoya follows earlier successes in securing the return of wanted drug traffickers Mohammad Salim Dola from Türkiye and Navin Chichkar from Malaysia.
The agency said efforts were continuing to track and repatriate other narcotics fugitives as part of the government’s broader strategy to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating within and outside the country.
