New Delhi: Indian security agencies on Wednesday secured the extradition of high-profile fugitive Prabhdeep Singh from Azerbaijan, marking a significant breakthrough in international law enforcement cooperation. Singh, who was the subject of an Interpol Red Notice, was escorted back to India by a special three-member team comprising officials from the Delhi Police Special Cell and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Coordinated Operation
The operation witnessed the CBI and Delhi Police acting in tandem with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Singh was recently geolocated to a flat in Baku, following which a special team was dispatched to facilitate his detention. The capture is significant because a large number of Indian gangsters and narco-traffickers had begun using the Azerbaijan route to flee the country, assuming they would not be handed over to Indian law enforcement from there, according to sources. This operation also represents a major victory in India's ongoing crackdown on narco-terrorism and organised crime, bringing the total number of fugitives repatriated to India in recent years to over 160, as per CBI data.
Alleged Mastermind
Singh, the alleged mastermind behind a massive international narcotics syndicate, arrived at Delhi airport on Wednesday morning, escorted by a three-member team led by ACP Vivek Tyagi from Delhi Police's Special Cell, as stated by Additional CP Pramod Kushwaha. Singh was a top priority for Indian agencies following his involvement in a high-stakes case registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Investigations revealed that Singh was the primary organiser of a racket that led to the recovery of 358 kg of heroin. Having absconded from India in 2023, Singh was traced in Baku after the CBI triggered an Interpol Red Notice at the request of Delhi Police. The CBI, acting as the National Central Bureau for Interpol in India, utilised the Bharatpol platform to streamline communication between domestic and international agencies.
Extradition Process
Following his arrest by Azerbaijani authorities, a formal extradition request was processed through diplomatic and legal channels, culminating in his return to Indian soil. The investigation into the case began in 2021 with the arrest of Rizwan Kashmiri in south Delhi. His interrogation uncovered a sophisticated network spanning several states and involving Afghan nationals. The trail eventually led to a massive seizure in Faridabad, where 166 kg of heroin was found in one vehicle and 115 kg in another, alongside psychotropic substances stored in a rented hideout. Investigators established that the syndicate was orchestrated by Turkey-based drug kingpin Navpreet Singh, alias Nav. Prabhdeep Singh, Nav's cousin, served as the operational linchpin in India.
Ongoing Investigation
With the trial already underway for 10 other accused individuals, including an Afghan national, Singh's extradition is expected to provide critical evidence regarding the syndicate's financial trails and international links. He is currently being interrogated to further unravel the complexities of the drug network's operations within India and abroad.
