The Delhi police have busted an international drug cartel with the arrest of two foreign nationals and recovered narcotics worth ₹32 crore, the police said on Friday.

The accused have been identified as Asadullah from Afghanistan and Moussa Zie from the Ivory Coast.

“We have recovered 8 kg of drugs worth ₹32 crore in the international market from the duo,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Pramod Kushwah.

Tip-off

According to the police, they received a tip-off that a huge consignment of drugs would be delivered on Tuesday by Asadullah to one of his contacts near Geetanjali Bus Stop in Malviya Nagar.

On receiving the information, officials went to the spot and found Asadullah. His bag was frisked, which led to the recovery of 6 kg of drugs. Asadullah was arrested.

During interrogation, Asadullah disclosed details of the members of his drug cartel. He also told officials that he used to supply drugs to people of African origin in Delhi. Following this disclosure, Moussa was nabbed on Wednesday from Nihal Vihar. The police added that 2 kg of drugs were recovered from him.

“Asadullah said he smuggled the drugs from Afghanistan and handed them to people of African origin in Delhi. One of these people is Moussa,” said Mr. Kushwah.

Regarding the modus operandi, Asadullah told the police that members of his cartel and he brought narcotics into India via air either by swallowing drug capsules or hiding them in secret cavities in their bags as per directions from their Afghanistan-based kingpin.

The accused also told the police that he visited India frequently on a medical visa to smuggle drugs.

“Moussa arrived in India in July 2017 on a six-month tourist visa but did not return after the visa expired. He was lured into smuggling drugs by a Nigerian national and acted as a courier for him for six months,” said Mr. Kushwah.

Further questioning of the accused revealed that many persons from north India visited Delhi and the accused provided them drugs.

Moussa also claimed that he had supplied drugs to Canada, England, France and South Africa through courier companies, said the senior officer. Efforts are on to identify the others involved in the racket, Mr. Kushwah added.

The Special Cell had recovered about 200 kg of narcotics last year as part of its drive against drug cartels.