Delhi Police seizes ₹2 crore hydroponic weed, busts international dark web drug cartel

The Delhi Police Crime Branch has dismantled an international drug trafficking syndicate operating through the dark web, seizing six kilograms of hydroponic marijuana valued at over ₹2 crore. The operation was part of "Operation Kawach," a comprehensive law enforcement initiative aimed at curbing illegal drug trade, illicit arms, and unlicensed liquor in Delhi ahead of the assembly elections. The police investigation revealed that the syndicate was using advanced digital technology to smuggle and distribute narcotics across borders.

The investigation was launched after police intercepted multiple parcels at the Foreign Post Office, which contained 5.137 kg of hydroponic marijuana imported from the United States. These parcels were addressed to fake recipients in an effort to conceal the true identity of the individuals involved. Data analysis and internet communication monitoring led the police to Abdul Malik, a 46-year-old resident of Delhi, who was identified as the person set to collect the drugs. During a raid at his premises, police recovered an additional 871 grams of hydroponic marijuana and a mobile phone used to facilitate the drug transactions.

Following the arrest of Abdul Malik, the police further investigated the syndicate, identifying Mayank Nayyar, a 35-year-old BBA graduate from Gurugram, as the main operator. According to police sources, Nayyar turned to drug trafficking after his family’s cancer medicine export business incurred significant losses during the COVID-19 pandemic. He allegedly leveraged his knowledge of the dark web to source hydroponic marijuana from the United States and coordinated shipments through Malik. Nayyar reportedly paid for the drugs using cryptocurrency to ensure anonymity and avoid detection.

The syndicate utilized blockchain-based, privacy-centric communication applications for secure discussions, allowing them to operate under a veil of encryption and anonymity. Payments were made via cryptocurrency, which made it difficult for authorities to trace the transactions. The drugs were delivered using sophisticated methods, including dead drops, to evade detection by law enforcement. The narcotics were imported in high demand from the U.S. to meet the needs of the underground drug market in India.

The Delhi Police Crime Branch has stated that the dismantling of this syndicate is a part of ongoing efforts to curb the growing threat of dark web-based drug trafficking networks. Authorities confirmed that the operation will continue to target other syndicates using the dark web for the trafficking of illicit drugs. Both Malik and Nayyar are facing charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, and further investigations are underway to uncover the full extent of the syndicate’s operations, including any international connections.