Narco-Trafficking Alleged Accused Navpreet Singh Deported from Türkiye, Sent to 10-Day Police Custody: Amit Shah

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said the government has secured the deportation of alleged narco-trafficking kingpin Navpreet Singh from Türkiye and brought him back to India in connection with cases related to drug trafficking and other crimes.

In a post on X, Shah said Singh had obtained Turkish citizenship using the fake identity of Navab Virk and continued to smuggle heroin and methamphetamine to India from Afghanistan. “Our agencies tracked him down, ripping apart veil after veil to unmask his true identity, and secured his deportation. Today he has been brought back to India and put behind bars in connection with cases involving drug trafficking and other crimes he is accused of,” Shah said.

He congratulated all the agencies involved in securing Singh's deportation. Shah also said the government is committed to destroying every narco-cartel before December 2029. “Modi govt is committed to destroying every narco-cartel before Dec 2029,” the Home Minister said.

Navpreet Singh Sent to 10-Day Police Custody

A Rouse Avenue Court in New Delhi has granted Delhi Police 10 days' custodial remand of alleged narco-trafficking kingpin Navpreet Singh, who was recently deported from Türkiye. Police told the court that Singh was declared a proclaimed offender in February 2022 and needs to be taken to Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab for further investigation. 

They also said Singh allegedly injured himself after arriving at the airport and that a Medico-Legal Certificate (MLC) was conducted. A chargesheet has already been filed against three other accused, and investigators have reportedly found communication links between Singh and suspects Ramandeep, Gurjeet and Gurjot.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the government secured Singh's deportation after Indian agencies traced him in Türkiye, where he allegedly obtained citizenship using the identity “Navab Virk.” Shah alleged that Singh continued to smuggle heroin and methamphetamine from Afghanistan to India. 

He said Singh has been brought back in connection with cases involving drug trafficking and other alleged crimes, and added that the government is committed to destroying every narco-cartel before December 2029.

Earlier in a separate narcotics case, Union Home Minister Shah on Wednesday lauded the seizure of 526 kg of heroin and methamphetamine from an Iranian boat in the Arabian Sea, saying the Centre was determined to protect the country’s youth from drugs. 

Shah said the narcotics were seized in a joint operation involving the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Indian Coast Guard and central intelligence agencies. Five Pakistani nationals onboard the vessel were also arrested.

"Modi govt. is determined to shield its youth from the scourge of drugs. In a joint operation by Gujarat ATS, Indian Coast Guard and Central intelligence agencies, 526 kg of Methamphetamine and heroin have been seized from an Iranian boat in India’s EEZ, 160 NM northwest of Lakshadweep and 490 NM southwest of Mumbai," Shah said in a post on X.

He said the five Pakistani nationals had been arrested, and further investigation was underway to identify the wider network involved in the suspected drug-smuggling operation and its intended receivers. Shah also highlighted the coordination between the agencies involved, stating, "Five Pakistani nationals have been arrested, with further investigation underway to identify the wider network and its intended receivers. 

Upholding a stellar example of coordination and cooperation among agencies, the 16-day-long operation also seized an Iranian boat." 

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