In one of the largest drug busts in the capital’s history, the Delhi Police seized over 560 kilograms of cocaine and 40 kilograms of high-grade marijuana, with a street value estimated at ₹5,600 crore. The crackdown, carried out by the Special Cell of Delhi Police, uncovered an international drug racket spanning continents, involving multiple individuals, including a key figure with alleged political ties. The case has triggered a political storm, with accusations flying between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC).
The Drug Seizure: 602 Kilograms of Narcotics Confiscated
The massive drug bust took place in South Delhi’s Mahipalpur area on October 1, where Delhi Police apprehended four men involved in smuggling the drugs into the national capital. The drugs, which included 547 kilograms of cocaine and 40 kilograms of hydroponic marijuana, were found in a godown where the gang was preparing for distribution.
The four arrested individuals were identified as Tushar Goyal (40), Himanshu Kumar (27), Aurangzeb Siddiqui (23), all from Delhi, and Bharat Kumar Jain (48) from Mumbai. According to Additional Commissioner of Police PS Kushwah, Tushar Goyal, the alleged kingpin of the syndicate, resides in a posh neighborhood of Vasant Vihar and is considered a major distributor of narcotics in India. Jain, who had traveled from Mumbai to receive a consignment from Goyal, was arrested alongside the others.
“This is one of the biggest hauls ever in Delhi,” said Kushwah. “The approximate price of the cocaine in the international market is ₹10 crore per kilogram, and the hydroponic marijuana is ₹50 lakh per kilogram,” he added, estimating the total value of the drugs at ₹5,600 crore. The police revealed that the cocaine originated from West Asia, while the marijuana was sourced from Phuket, Thailand, entering India through different routes, including roads and airports.
The Investigation: International Drug Racket Unveiled
The drug haul was not a stroke of luck but the result of a meticulous investigation that spanned over two months. Acting on a tip-off, the Special Cell had been monitoring the movements of the accused and their syndicate, leading to their eventual capture just before the festive season in India.
The drug syndicate, as per the police, has strong international links, with Tushar Goyal suspected to have connections in Dubai and other West Asian countries. The authorities believe that the network stretches across continents, supplying drugs from West Asia into India, where they were distributed through local dealers. Jain, who operated under the direction of a drug dealer based in Mumbai, was arrested while attempting to pick up 15 kilograms of cocaine from Goyal.
Investigators also found 22 cartons of banned narcotics in the godown during the raid, confirming that the seized drugs had been stored in Delhi for distribution to other states. The bust, therefore, not only prevents a large quantity of narcotics from reaching the streets but also exposes a significant portion of the drug distribution network within the country.
Allegations of Political Ties: BJP Targets Congress
While the police continue to interrogate the four accused, the case has quickly taken on a political dimension. BJP spokesperson and MP Sudhanshu Trivedi alleged that Tushar Goyal, the kingpin of the drug syndicate, is linked to the Congress party, specifically the Indian Youth Congress (IYC). According to Trivedi, Goyal was formerly the head of the RTI Cell of the Delhi Pradesh Youth Congress in 2022, raising questions about potential political protection for the accused.
“Yesterday, in Delhi, drugs worth ₹5,600 crores were seized. This quantity is significant, as during the UPA government (2006-2013), only drugs worth ₹768 crores were seized across India,” Trivedi said during a press conference. He pointed out that under the BJP-led government from 2014 to 2022, drugs worth ₹22,000 crore have been seized. Trivedi then alleged that Goyal, whom he described as the “chief of the Indian Youth Congress RTI Cell,” might have been using the money from drug trafficking to fund political activities.
Trivedi went on to challenge Congress leaders, specifically the Bhupinder Hooda family, to explain their connection to Goyal. “What relationship does Congress have with him (Goyal)?” he asked, further insinuating that some Congress leaders might be colluding with drug dealers.
Who is Tushar Goyal?
Tushar Goyal, who is now at the center of this high-profile case, is not new to political circles. According to sources within the Delhi Police, Goyal, also known as Dikki Goyal, was the chairman of the RTI Cell of Delhi Pradesh Youth Congress as recently as 2022. Several pictures of Goyal with prominent Congress leaders have surfaced, further fueling speculation about his political connections.
A graduate from a reputed university in 2003, Goyal also assists his father in managing two publication houses in Central Delhi. However, this outward appearance of a business-minded individual masked his deeper involvement in the drug trade. His alleged connections with international drug cartels, particularly in Dubai and other West Asian countries, have become a major point of focus in the ongoing investigation.
Political Fallout and Continuing Investigation
While the BJP continues to hurl accusations at the Congress, the case itself is still under investigation. The Delhi Police are probing the extent of Goyal’s political connections and the involvement of other individuals in the syndicate. They are also looking into whether the proceeds from the drug trade were used to fund political activities, as alleged by the BJP.
Congress, for its part, has yet to issue a formal response to the accusations. However, party leaders are expected to address the issue as the investigation progresses and more details emerge. For now, the focus remains on unearthing the full scope of the international drug syndicate and ensuring that those involved face justice.
The discovery of over ₹5,600 crore worth of narcotics has not only exposed a sophisticated drug network but also sparked a political controversy that could have far-reaching implications for both law enforcement and Indian politics.
(With inputs from agencies)
