In a significant breakthrough against organized drug trafficking, the Tiruvallur district police have apprehended a Senegal national who allegedly masterminded a widespread synthetic drug cartel operating across multiple Indian states. The arrest on Friday culminates an intensive investigation that uncovered an elaborate narcotics distribution network.
The Kingpin's Capture and Network Exposed
W Bende, a 43-year-old Senegal national, was arrested by a special police team in Delhi with assistance from local Delhi police authorities. The arrest followed nearly ten days of meticulous surveillance conducted across Delhi and Noida, revealing the extensive reach of his drug operations.
Police confiscated multiple mobile phones from the accused containing crucial data that mapped drug supply activities across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and several North-Eastern states. Investigations revealed that Bende sourced contraband from border areas of North-Eastern states and distributed it to major metropolitan centers including Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai.
Sophisticated Operation Tactics Uncovered
The drug network employed highly sophisticated methods to evade detection. Multiple SIM cards, fake identities, and front businesses including textile shops were used to conceal illegal financial transactions. The cartel primarily operated through internet-based applications, with WhatsApp serving as the main platform for drug orders and payment processing.
Customers transferred payments to bank accounts located in West Bengal, Nagaland, and Mizoram. Following successful transactions, GPS coordinates were shared indicating hidden drug consignment locations in Chennai and Bengaluru for pickup. Police have identified several individuals in Tamil Nadu who transferred money to these accounts and have already arrested ten suspects.
Earlier Arrests and Cartel Connections
This major arrest follows a series of earlier operations conducted by Tiruvallur police targeting the same cartel. On October 14, acting on confidential information, police arrested S Muneer (28) and B Javeed (38), seizing 55 grams of methamphetamine from them. Investigations showed one accused regularly traveled to Mumbai to procure drugs before supplying them to Bengaluru and Chennai.
Subsequently, on October 23, police apprehended D Sibiraj (22), son of Dhanasekar, who operated a dance studio in Chennai. Officers recovered 54 grams of methamphetamine from his possession. Interestingly, Sibiraj was found to be active as an Instagram influencer, highlighting the diverse profiles involved in the drug network.
The formation of a special investigation team proved crucial in uncovering the inter-state connections of this sophisticated drug cartel, marking a significant victory in India's ongoing battle against synthetic drug trafficking.
