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India.com
04-07-2025
- India.com
NCB Busts Global Drug Cartel Spanning 4 Continents, Uses Crypto And Encrypted Apps
In one of the largest crackdowns on the illegal pharmaceutical trade, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has dismantled an international drug trafficking syndicate operating across four continents, using encrypted digital platforms, cryptocurrency, and anonymous shipping networks, an official statement said. The breakthrough began with the interception of a vehicle near Bengali Market in Delhi on May 25, 2025, ultimately uncovering a vast transnational operation with links to India, the US, Australia, and Europe. The investigation was launched after the NCB HQ Operations Unit intercepted a car near Mandi House, Delhi, based on a tip-off. The vehicle's two occupants, B. Pharma graduates from a reputed Noida-based private university, were found in possession of 3.7 kg of Tramadol tablets--a controlled medication often misused as a narcotic. Their confession exposed a deeper network that involved an online vendor profile on a major Indian B2B platform, used to ship pharmaceutical pills to clients in the United States, Europe, and Australia. Subsequent leads led NCB to a stockist in Roorkee and an associate in Delhi's Mayur Vihar. Further investigation uncovered a key contact in Udupi, Karnataka, who managed bulk orders for exports. Analysis of seized data from Udupi revealed 50 international consignments 29 within the US, 18 within Australia, and one each to Estonia, Spain, and Switzerland. This intelligence was shared with international counterparts and the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol). Acting on this information, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) arrested a key operative named Joel Hall, a re-shipper based in Alabama. Authorities seized over 17,000 tablets of controlled medicines from his possession. Multiple crypto wallets and active parcels were recovered, confirming the network's reliance on digital currency and encrypted communications. DEA also intercepted five parcels carrying around 700 grams of Zolpidem, a sedative commonly abused for recreational use. Meanwhile, a clandestine pill-manufacturing facility linked to the network was busted in Australia by local law enforcement. The factory was found producing tablets for export as part of the syndicate's supply chain. Investigations in other countries are ongoing. NCB's probe uncovered a multilayered structure with two distinct modules, orders and supply, managed by handlers using encrypted messaging platforms like Telegram and payment systems involving cryptocurrency, PayPal, and Western Union. The syndicate operated a call centre in Udupi, employing approximately 10 staff members, some of whom were reportedly unaware of the criminal operation. Orders placed via the B2B platform were routed through this call centre. Advance payments were made in cryptocurrency, then circulated through supply chain operators who retained a commission before the payments were disbursed to re-shippers in various countries. According to the NCB, the mastermind who orchestrated the network's logistics and finances from the UAE has been identified, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend him with the assistance of Emirati authorities. Two more Indian nationals were arrested in Jaipur and Delhi in connection with the logistics and supply-side operations. So far, a total of eight individuals have been arrested. In a strategic move to expand operations, repeat customers were converted into stockists or re-shippers, allowing the syndicate to grow its footprint organically across borders. Several such individuals have been identified by partner agencies abroad. NCB has also launched financial and cyber investigations to trace cryptocurrency wallets and hawala channels involved in laundering proceeds. Collaborations are underway with private online platforms to shut down illegal pharmacy listings advertising controlled drugs. This case, authorities say, underlines the growing intersection of digital commerce, encrypted technology, and international logistics in facilitating illicit pharmaceutical trade. It also reinforces the importance of international intelligence-sharing and collaborative enforcement actions.
India Gazette
03-07-2025
- India Gazette
NCB busts global drug cartel using encrypted apps, crypto and B2B platforms
New Delhi [India], July 4 (ANI): In one of the largest crackdowns on the illegal pharmaceutical trade, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has dismantled an international drug trafficking syndicate operating across four continents, using encrypted digital platforms, cryptocurrency, and anonymous shipping networks, an official statement said. The breakthrough began with the interception of a vehicle near Bengali Market in Delhi on May 25, 2025, ultimately uncovering a vast transnational operation with links to India, the US, Australia, and Europe. The investigation was launched after the NCB HQ Operations Unit intercepted a car near Mandi House, Delhi, based on a tip-off. The vehicle's two occupants, B. Pharma graduates from a reputed Noida-based private university, were found in possession of 3.7 kg of Tramadol tablets--a controlled medication often misused as a narcotic. Their confession exposed a deeper network that involved an online vendor profile on a major Indian B2B platform, used to ship pharmaceutical pills to clients in the United States, Europe, and Australia. Subsequent leads led NCB to a stockist in Roorkee and an associate in Delhi's Mayur Vihar. Further investigation uncovered a key contact in Udupi, Karnataka, who managed bulk orders for exports. Analysis of seized data from Udupi revealed 50 international consignments 29 within the US, 18 within Australia, and one each to Estonia, Spain, and Switzerland. This intelligence was shared with international counterparts and the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol). Acting on this information, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) arrested a key operative named Joel Hall, a re-shipper based in Alabama. Authorities seized over 17,000 tablets of controlled medicines from his possession. Multiple crypto wallets and active parcels were recovered, confirming the network's reliance on digital currency and encrypted communications. DEA also intercepted five parcels carrying around 700 grams of Zolpidem, a sedative commonly abused for recreational use. Meanwhile, a clandestine pill-manufacturing facility linked to the network was busted in Australia by local law enforcement. The factory was found producing tablets for export as part of the syndicate's supply chain. Investigations in other countries are ongoing. NCB's probe uncovered a multilayered structure with two distinct modules, orders and supply, managed by handlers using encrypted messaging platforms like Telegram and payment systems involving cryptocurrency, PayPal, and Western Union. The syndicate operated a call centre in Udupi, employing approximately 10 staff members, some of whom were reportedly unaware of the criminal operation. Orders placed via the B2B platform were routed through this call centre. Advance payments were made in cryptocurrency, then circulated through supply chain operators who retained a commission before the payments were disbursed to re-shippers in various countries. According to the NCB, the mastermind who orchestrated the network's logistics and finances from the UAE has been identified, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend him with the assistance of Emirati authorities. Two more Indian nationals were arrested in Jaipur and Delhi in connection with the logistics and supply-side operations. So far, a total of eight individuals have been arrested. In a strategic move to expand operations, repeat customers were converted into stockists or re-shippers, allowing the syndicate to grow its footprint organically across borders. Several such individuals have been identified by partner agencies abroad. NCB has also launched financial and cyber investigations to trace cryptocurrency wallets and hawala channels involved in laundering proceeds. Collaborations are underway with private online platforms to shut down illegal pharmacy listings advertising controlled drugs. This case, authorities say, underlines the growing intersection of digital commerce, encrypted technology, and international logistics in facilitating illicit pharmaceutical trade. It also reinforces the importance of international intelligence-sharing and collaborative enforcement actions. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
02-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Drug cartel spanning 10 nations busted by NCB after Mandi House arrest
Union home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said the NCB (Narcotics Control Bureau) has busted a global drug cartel, arrested eight people and triggered crackdowns in the US and Australia against the ring that operates across four continents and 10 countries. Joel Hall, a major re-shipper, was arrested, leading to the seizure of over 17,000 tablets of controlled medication. (HT PHOTO) Operation Med Max by the NCB that began in New Delhi's Mandi House nearly a month and a half ago, led to one suspect in the US, the bust of illegal factories in Australia, an illegal call centre in Udupi, and the identification of a money launderer in the US as well as a UAE-based kingpin. Explaining the investigation trail, a home ministry spokesperson said that on May 25, the agency's operations unit intercepted a car near Mandi House (Bengali Market) in Delhi in which two BPharma students were arrested with 3.7kg of Tramadol tablets. Tramadol has been notified as a drug under the NDPS Act by the finance ministry in April 2018. Also Read | Mumbai Metropolitan Region: From transit zone to drug-manufacturing hub 'The arrested individuals confessed to operating a vendor profile on a major Indian B2B platform, from where they sold pharmaceutical pills to clients across the US, Europe, and Australia. Leads from the interrogation led to two chemists in Roorkee, followed by the arrest of a key associate in Mayur Vihar, Delhi, who revealed connections with a contact in Udupi (Karnataka) responsible for organising bulk orders for shipments to the US,' a spokesperson said. In Udupi, the NCB team found a data trail of these Indian nationals managing deliveries – 29 packages to the US, 18 from Australia and 1 each to be sent to Estonia, Spain and Switzerland – following which the DEA, Interpol and Australian authorities were roped in. One NCB official, who asked not to be named, said, 'This gang did not ship the medicines within India. They had multiple reshippers in different countries. These reshippers after receiving the controlled drug shipped it within their countries. We are probing the sources of the tablets in India.' Also Read | STF busts ₹ 1.20 cr cancer-drug smuggling racket in Lucknow, three held A PIB statement said that acting on NCB's information the US DEA tracked the data trail of the US consignment and arrested a bulk re-shipper and money launderer in Alabama along with a massive haul of controlled medicines. The syndicate operated on encrypted communication platforms such as Telegram, relied on cryptocurrency payments, PayPal, Western Union and used anonymous international drop shippers to evade detection. In Australia, authorities dismantled a clandestine pill manufacturing unit. 'Controlled drugs such as Tramadol and others were being manufactured there too. Their Indian counterparts were taking orders in bulk and coordinating with the owner for supply within Australia,' the NCB officer said. Home minister Amit Shah said on X, 'Congratulations to NCB and all agencies on busting a global drug cartel. The probe set a stellar example of multi-agency coordination, resulting in 8 arrests and seizures of 5 consignments while triggering crackdowns in the US and Australia against the ring that operates across 4 continents and 10+ nations. Our agencies are constantly monitoring sophisticated modes like crypto payments and anonymous drop shippers used by these gangs. PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji-led govt is determined to saw off every drug cartel and protect our youth, no matter where they operate from.' Also Read | 114 smugglers arrested, over 4 kg drugs seized in Punjab's 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' campaign Replying to Shah's post, the US embassy in India said, 'Thanks to NCB and Indian authorities for helping Americans against illegal drugs and saving American lives.'
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NNY Racing Recap: Evans Mills Raceway Park kicks off its season
EVANS MILLS, N.Y. (WWTI) – One area race track was able to start its season while another one had rain postpone its Friday night slate. Evans Mills Raceway Park was able to drop the green flag on its season after rain postponed the action in the previous weekend. NASCAR star Kyle Larson is ready to focus on the Indianapolis 500 — after a sprint car race Winners include Joel Hall (INEX Legends), Joe Papin (modifieds), Mike Bruce (small block super modifieds), Chuck Meyer (late model), Mike Cole (sport compact) and Justin Burns (thunderstock). Action returns to Evans Mills on Saturday night with heat racing starting at 6 p.m. Pits open at 3 p.m. an gates open at 5 p.m. Can-Am Speedway in LaFargeville had its Friday night card called off due to rain. The 'Nasty Track of the North' is slated to host its Armed Forces Tribute. Pits open at 4 p.m. with gates opening at 5 p.m. and racing starting at 7 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
