Fugitive Drug Kingpin Virender Basoya Returns From UAE to Face Trial

The Narcotics Control Bureau has secured the return of fugitive drug kingpin Virender Singh Basoya from the United Arab Emirates to face trial in India, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Friday. The development marks a significant step in the government's efforts to dismantle international drug syndicates operating within the country.

Basoya is accused of being the mastermind behind a major cocaine trafficking network. His extradition follows a massive investigation by the Delhi Police Special Cell, which uncovered a consignment of cocaine worth thousands of crores in 2024. The operation led to multiple seizures across the country, including a record haul in the national capital region.

The case came to light in October 2024 when the Special Cell made a series of significant drug seizures. On October 1, 562 kilograms of cocaine were seized in Mahipalpur, South Delhi, leading to the arrest of Tushar Goyal and three others. Subsequent seizures included 208 kilograms from a shop in West Delhi on October 10 and 518 kilograms from a pharmaceutical firm in Gujarat on October 13. The total value of the seized narcotics was estimated at over Rs 5,000 crore.