Operation Crystal Fortress: NCB, Delhi Police Seize 329 Kg Meth Worth Rs 262 Crore; 2 Arrested

Delhi Police, NCB Recover Massive 329 kg Meth Haul

In one of the biggest drug seizures in the capital, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Delhi Police’s Special Cell recovered 329 kg of methamphetamine valued at Rs 262 crore from a residence in Chattarpur, south Delhi, on 20 November. Two people have been arrested in connection with the massive haul.

The operation, codenamed Operation Crystal Fortress, was an intelligence-based crackdown aimed at dismantling a sophisticated drug syndicate operating across borders. Authorities believe the network is linked to a foreign-based kingpin, who is already wanted for the seizure of 83 kg of cocaine in Delhi last year.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the action, stating that the Centre “is shattering drug cartels at an unprecedented pace”, calling the joint operation “a brilliant example of seamless multi-agency coordination to achieve PM Modi’s vision for a drug-free India.”

Officers involved in the inquiry said the breakthrough followed months of surveillance, technical intercepts and intelligence-sharing, which exposed a well-organised cartel using multiple couriers, rented safe houses and layered handlers. Investigators noted that Delhi had emerged as a key hub for both domestic distribution and the movement of synthetic drugs to overseas markets.

One of the arrested suspects, Shane Waris (25), a resident of Amroha in Uttar Pradesh, was detained from Noida’s Sector 5 on 20 November. Employed as a sales manager, Waris allegedly worked under the instructions of a handler and was instructed to use fake SIM cards and encrypted communication apps such as WhatsApp and Zangi to manage operations discreetly.

During interrogation, Waris admitted to his role and provided crucial leads, including identifying a woman associate, Esther Kinimi from Nagaland, who had recently overseen one of the consignments delivered via a logistics platform rider.

Chattarpur raid yields massive drug consignment

Acting on Waris’s disclosures, NCB teams raided Kinimi’s residence in Chattarpur Enclave Phase 2 on the same day. With the assistance of Nagaland Police, she was arrested after officers recovered the enormous methamphetamine stockpile from her home.

Preliminary findings suggest the duo were part of a larger transnational cartel directed by foreign operators. “The investigation indicates Waris was actively involved in a synthetic drug trafficking syndicate functioning under foreign operators,” an officer said.

Hunt for kingpin

Authorities are now coordinating with international enforcement agencies to trace the kingpin and secure his deportation to India. They are also mapping the cartel’s supply chain, financial conduits, logistics nodes and storage points.

This seizure is among the largest methamphetamine recoveries in Delhi, and investigators say efforts are underway to dismantle the network completely and prevent its expansion into overseas markets.