DELHI POLICE
    
    CRIME BRANCH
                           24.05.2025
PRESS RELEASE
    IN A SERIES OF OPERATIONS CONDUCTED ACROSS DELHI, ANTF (CRIME BRANCH) HAS NABBED 05 PHARMA-DRUGS TRAFFICKERS & BUSTED A SYNDICATE CARTEL INVOLVED IN SUPLLY OF TRAMADOL-TABLETS & CODAINE BASED SYRUP.
    THE CARTEL WAS OPERATIONAL IN NORTH CAMPUS AREA OF DELHI UNIVERSITY.
    TOTAL 2360 TRAMADOL-BASED CAPSULES & 120 CODEINE WORTH APPROX. 01 LAKH IN INTERNATIONAL MARKET SEIZED FROM THEIR POSSESSIONS. 
    TOP TO BOTTOM & BOTTOM TO TOP APPROACH ADOPTED WITH BUSTING OF ENTIRE CHAIN.
GOVERNMENT'S 'ZERO TOLERANCE' POLICY AGAINST DRUGS
To fulfill the vision of a drug-free nation, the Government of India is vigorously pursuing a policy of 'Zero Tolerance' against drugs. The resolve to root out the menace of drugs has been strongly conveyed, emphasizing stringent action against all drug traffickers to eradicate this evil from our country. The campaign against drugs is being sincerely implemented by Delhi Police through various operations and initiatives conducted by districts and units. To eradicate the drug menace from society, all concerned have been directed to take strong and effective action against narco-offenders.
INTRODUCTION
The sleuths of Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), Delhi Police, in a robust strategy with a clear mandate of “NASHA MUKT BHARAT ABHIYAAN” conducted a series of meticulously planned inter-state operations and arrested 05 accused persons, who were engaged in supplying pharmaceutical drugs in Delhi, particularly North Campus of Delhi University area without any bill or prescription etc. Total 2360 Tramadol- capsules & 135 codeine based syrup bottles have been recovered from their possessions. The seized drugs are worth more than ₹ 01 Lakh in international market. In this regard Case FIR No. 114/25, dated 12.05.2025, u/s 22 (b)/29 of the NDPS Act, PS Crime Branch, Delhi was registered. 
OPERATION
       While continuing drive against drug traffickers/suppliers active in Delhi, the team of ANTF, Crime Branch had been developing information in the area of North District, Delhi. The hard work of police team paid dividends & SI Vishan Kumar posted at ANTF, Crime Branch received secret information regarding one Manish Bhatle, age 25/26 years, who was allegedly involved in the supply of Codeine based syrup & Tramadol capsules in Delhi area. It was informed that he would be coming to deliver the pharmaceutical drugs between 01:00 PM and 01:30 PM on the same day, near University Road Near Shri Ram Institute, Delhi. After satisfying, the secret information was conveyed to Insp. Rakesh Duhan & after satisfying, he further informed to Sh. Raj Kumar, ACP/ANTF (Crime), Delhi and as per directions, SI Vishan Kumar was directed to take necessary action as per secret information.
The police team led by Inspector Rakesh Duhan comprising of SIs Vishan Kumar, Krishna, ASIs Sanjay No. 1404/Crime, Sunil No. 147/Cr, HC Sunny No. 1337/Crime, HC Amit 1452/Crime, HC Sikander 590/Crime, HC Naresh 963/Crime, W/HC Neetu No. 701/Cr immediately swung into action under the supervision of Sh. Raj Kumar, ACP/ANTF (Crime Branch) & overall guidance of the undersigned being DCP/ANTF (Crime).  
RECOVERY OF MEDICINE  

Therefore, a trap was laid and at about 1:10 pm at the instance of the secret informer, the alleged Manish Bhatle r/o Sabji Mandi Ghantaghar, Malka Ganj, Delhi, Age 26 Years, was apprehended from University road, near Shri Ram Institute, Delhi. He was holding two plastic sacks in his both hands. Subsequently, both the plastic sacks were checked, one plastic sacks contained 10 boxes of capsules (Dicyclomine HCI, Tramadol HCI, and Acetaminophen) totaling 2360 capsules (118 grams) & another plastic sacks contained 120 bottles of 100 ml codeine-based syrup (24 gm codeine) were recovered. He did not had any bill or prescription and also could not provide any satisfactory explanation about the recovery of the same.  The Drug inspector, Dr. Swapnil Patil, who was also accompanied with the team ANTF, confirmed that the recovered pharmaceutical drugs without carrying bills or prescription were illegal as per NDPS Act. The recovered 10 boxes (2360 capsules) of tramadol & 120 bottles of codeine syrup were seized and taken into possession through memo & case FIR No. 114/25 u/s 22(B) NDPS Act PS Crime Branch was registered accordingly.

FURTHER INTERROGATION 
During investigation, the accused Manish Bhatle was arrested in the case. During interrogation he revealed that the contraband was procured by him from his maternal uncle’s Devender, owner of Abhishek Medicos, Malkaganj, Delhi and the same was to be supplied as per his directions.  
Raid was conducted at Abhishek Medicos & Devender was apprehended, after proper procedure search of Medical Store was done but no recovery was made from the alleged shop & his house, which was in the same building. Accused Devender disclosed that he procured Tramadol from one Gunnu r/o Malka Ganj & JP r/o Burari, Delhi and Codeine based Syrup bottles from one Surender r/o Malka Ganj. Their mobile numbers are switched off; efforts to arrest them are ongoing.
ARREST OF MEDIATOR & WHOLE SELLER
Based on the disclosure of accused Devender, it was revealed that Nikhil @ Gunnu (28), a local resident, had supplied six boxes of Tramadol capsules. A raid was conducted at Nikhil’s residence; he was arrested as a mediator in the illegal drug supply chain. He disclosed that he had procured the recovered Tramadol tablets from one Ankit Gupta (Owner – Ravi Medicare), G.T. Karnal Road Industrial Area, Delhi.
On 14.05.2025, at the instance of Nikhil @ Gunnu, a raid was conducted at the godown of Ankit Gupta (40) at G.T. Karnal Road Industrial Area, Delhi. He accepted that he had supplied Tramadol to Nikhil without any bill or prescription.
Additionally, 15 bottles of DIALEX-DC Codeine Syrup were also recovered from his godown & the same were kept without bills/invoices. The team of Drug Control Department, present at the spot declared the syrup illicit. The batch/brand was differed from the earlier seizure. Ankit Gupta was arrested for illegal possession and supply of Tramadol capsules seized on 12.05.2025.
ARREST OF MR (Medical Representative) 
On 15.05.2025, during custodial interrogation, Ankit Gupta disclosed that Kapil (28) r/o Veena Enclave, Nangloi, supplied him 06 packets of Tramadol capsules and codeine syrup. Based on above disclosure Kapil was arrested on 15.05.2025. Further, a search at Kapil’s house yielded no recovery. Kapil has been working as a Medical Representative (MR) with some renowned firm. He disclosed that these drugs were provided to him by one Rakesh r/o Udhyog Nagar Delhi, who is still absconding.  
This is a case of top to bottom & bottom to top approach and team ANTF has unveil potential all backward & forward links. The chain of pharmaceutical drugs provided by manufacturing companies also connected with the arrested accused persons.
PROFILE OF ACCUSED
1.    Accused: Manish Bhatle (26 years)
o    He is 12th class Pass and used to work in Pharma Company, but due to Covid, he had to leave the job. Further started to work at medical Store of his maternal Uncle (Devender). 
2.    Accused: Devender (57 years)
o    (Maternal Uncle of Manish and Owner of Abhishek Medicos)
o    He is 12th class Pass & supplier of recovered drugs. 
3.    Accused: Nikhil @ Gunnu (28 years)
o    He is mediator between the whole seller & retailer. 
o    He also addicts of tramadol. 
4.    Accused: Ankit Gupta (40 years), Owner – Ravi Medicare
o    He is the Supplier and running a whole sale shop of medicine.
5.    Accused: Kapil (28 years), 
o    He is the working as medical Representative in a firm & utilised his relation for arranging illegal drugs.
SEIZED ITEMS
o    2,360 capsules of Tramadol
o    135 bottles of Codeine-based cough syrup (120 + 15)
o    Five mobile phones.
ANTF, Crime Branch has been targeting local drug traffickers, who are spreading drug menace amongst common people and also against those having interstate & international network of drug trafficking. The entire operation was closely supervised by Sh. Devesh Chandra Srivastva, Spl. CP Crime, Sh. Surender Singh, Jt. CP/Crime and Sh. Mangesh Kashyap, Addl.CP/Crime and the undersigned being DCP/ANTF (Crime).
Further investigation is being carried out in above mentioned case to unearth the whole chains of drug trafficking of international syndicate.     
(Apoorva Gupta), IPS
Dy. Commissioner of Police 
ANTF, (Crime), Delhi