NCB Secures Return Of Fugitive Drug Trafficker Virender Singh Basoya From UAE In 1,837 Kg Mephedrone Probe

In a major victory against international narcotics trafficking, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) successfully repatriated wanted fugitive Virender Singh Basoya from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to India. Basoya, a resident of Delhi, was arrested in the UAE in June 2026 following an INTERPOL Red Notice issued at the request of the NCB. The return to India was achieved through extensive cooperation with UAE authorities.

This landmark case is rooted in a February 2024 investigation initiated by the Pune City Police, which uncovered a massive 500-gram stash of Mephedrone. The subsequent probe, employing a comprehensive top-down and bottom-up strategy, expanded to uncover a sprawling drug trafficking network. The investigation culminated in the seizure of roughly 867 kg of Mephedrone in Pune and an additional 970 kg in Delhi, for a total haul of approximately 1,837 kg of the potent synthetic drug.

Indian agencies identified Basoya as a crucial overseas operative and alleged conspirator who orchestrated the syndicate's operations from abroad and facilitated the export of Mephedrone consignments to other nations. The Mumbai Zonal Unit of the NCB took over the investigation to unravel the full scope of the criminal enterprise.

Basoya's role in the operation extended beyond India, as he was also implicated in a separate case handled by the Delhi Police Special Cell. In October 2024, the Special Cell dismantled a massive international cocaine trafficking cartel, seizing over 1,300 kg of cocaine, Mephedrone, and hydroponic weed. This investigation revealed Basoya's involvement in coordinating the procurement, transportation, storage, and distribution of cocaine and other narcotics, linking him to a large-scale drug network that spanned Delhi, Hapur, Ghaziabad, and even Gujarat.

The return of Basoya exemplifies the NCB's relentless pursuit of major narcotics traffickers and fugitives operating beyond India's borders. This achievement is part of Operation GLOBAL-HUNT, a sustained initiative aimed at identifying, locating, and apprehending key drug traffickers hiding abroad. Previous successes include the repatriation of Mohammad Salim Dola from Türkiye and Navin Chichkar from Malaysia, further underscoring the NCB's commitment to zero tolerance against narcotics.

The NCB's efforts represent a significant milestone in the fight against transnational narcotics syndicates, demonstrating the government's unwavering commitment to dismantling these criminal networks and safeguarding public health and safety.