ED conducts searches across Delhi, Mumbai in case involving 600 kg of narcotics

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted search operations across Delhi-NCR and Mumbai on Friday, following the seizure of over 600 kg of drugs by the Delhi Police.
The investigation was initiated by an FIR which mentioned the names of four accused — Tushar Goyal, Himanshu Kumar, Aurangzeb Siddiqui, and Bharat Kumar.
The drugs, which included 562 kg of cocaine and 40 kg of hydroponic marijuana, were seized by the Delhi Police’s Special Cell. The ED’s investigation revealed that Tushar Goyal, the alleged kingpin, had stored the drugs at his family-owned godown at Mahipalpur in Delhi.
Tushar Goyal had also visited Dubai and Thailand in June to meet associates and plan drug distribution. It was uncovered that he was working with a Dubai-based mastermind previously linked to narcotic trafficking.
The ED searched the residential premises of Goyal in Vasant Enclave and Rajouri Garden, and his associates Himanshu Kumar and Bharat Kumar in Mumbai’s Prem Nagar and Nalasolpara.
The agency also raided Goyal’s business establishments in Delhi’s Jhandewalan and Gurugram, which are owned by his family. The officials recovered crucial financial documents, which had details of the financial activities and properties of the accused.
The marijuana is suspected to have originated from Phuket, Thailand, and was brought to India via air route. The cocaine is believed to have been sourced from West Asian countries and various Indian states. Officials added that the accused mostly paid in cryptocurrency to acquire the drugs and later sold them.
The investigation revealed that the gang was planning to sell large quantities of drugs at concerts, rave parties, and upscale localities in Delhi and other metropolitan cities. Goyal was found to have international links.
Goyal’s alleged connection with Congress sparked a political row, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticising the grand old party.
The mastermind’s purported Facebook account features a profile picture with a tiger, and his bio mentions that he is the “Chairman of Delhi Pradesh RTI Cell of DYPC, Indian Youth Congress.” However, the Indian Youth Congress stated that he was expelled from the organisation in October 2022 for indulging in anti-party activities.