Drug Kingpin Wanted In Rs 13,000-Crore Case Brought Back From UAE

NEW DELHI, Aug 14: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has brought alleged drug kingpin Virendra Singh Basoya back to India from the United Arab Emirates in connection with a Rs 13,000-crore narcotics case, officials said.

Basoya is accused of playing a key role in the movement of large quantities of drugs from India to overseas markets. His alleged involvement came to light during an investigation into a major drug seizure in Pune.

On February 21, 2024, Pune Police arrested Divesh Charanjit Bhutani and Sandeep Kumar Rajpal Basoya in Delhi and seized around 970 kg of mephedrone from them. Investigators alleged that the consignment, valued at thousands of crores of rupees in the international market, was intended to be transported to London.

Sandeep Hanumansingh Yadav, owner of Delta Logistics, and company manager Devendra Ramful Yadav were also arrested in the case.

According to the probe, the logistics network was allegedly being used to disguise drug consignments as routine commercial shipments and move them through the supply chain without attracting the attention of enforcement agencies.

Investigators subsequently traced the operation to Virendra Basoya, who was identified as a key figure allegedly coordinating the network and arranging the overseas movement of drugs. Bhutani and Sandeep Kumar Rajpal Basoya were allegedly working under him, the agencies said.

Basoya is also wanted in a separate case being investigated by the Delhi Police Special Cell involving the seizure of drugs estimated to be worth around Rs 13,000 crore. His son, Rishabh Basoya, has also come under the scanner in that case.

An Interpol Red Corner Notice has reportedly been issued against Rishabh Basoya, with investigators believing he is currently abroad.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah described Virendra Basoya’s return as a major achievement in the government’s campaign against the drug trade and reiterated the Centre’s stated policy of zero tolerance towards narcotics and the networks behind them.

According to Union Home Ministry figures, 274 fugitives have been brought back to India from 36 countries between 2019 and 2026. (Agencies)