Mumbai: In a major crackdown on international drug trafficking, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), with support from national and international agencies, has secured the deportation of Navin Gurunath Chichkar (30) from Malaysia. He is allegedly the mastermind behind a transnational drug syndicate.
Navin Gurunath Chichkar, a resident of Navi Mumbai, is alleged to be the mastermind behind one of India's largest drug cartels. Operating primarily from abroad, he has been implicated in trafficking narcotics worth approximately Rs 1,128 crore over the past two years. His cartel specializes in cocaine and hybrid strain hydroponic cannabis, smuggling these substances into India via air cargo shipments from the United States. Once in Mumbai, the drugs are distributed across various states and have also been re-exported to international markets, including Australia.
Builder and father of drug kingpin Navin Chichkar, Gurunath Chichkar (50), shot himself in his office in April, leaving behind a note expressing his frustration with the investigating agencies. He had been repeatedly summoned after his elder son, Navin, was found to be involved in a drug cartel, which devastated him emotionally.
According to NCB sources, the key accused, Chichkar is reported to have studied Criminal Psychology and Film and Television in London. Despite his education, he allegedly chose to engage in illicit activities, utilizing his knowledge to operate the drug syndicate remotely through associates in India.
The investigation gained momentum on January 21, when the NCB intercepted a parcel shipped from Mumbai to Australia via DHL courier. Concealed inside a projector, the officers recovered approximately 200 grams of cocaine.
After working on the leads generated in this case and through technical and human intelligence, the NCB Mumbai reach at the source of the contraband and 11.54 kilograms of very high-grade cocaine, 4.9 kilograms of hybrid strain Hydroponic Weed/ Ganja and 200 packets (total 5.5 kilograms) of Cannabis gummies & Rs 1.60 lakh were recovered from Navi Mumbai, on January 31. The bust unveiled a sophisticated drug trafficking network sourcing narcotics from the United States and distributing them across India and abroad. The investigation further revealed the involvement of a Clearing House Agent (CHA) and hawala operators. So far, eight individuals have been arrested.
Chickhar, who had been on the run since 2021 in connection with an LSD trafficking case, initially fled to Thailand and was later tracked to Malaysia. A Red Notice issued by the NCB enabled his location and eventual deportation to India.
Sources said Chickhar’s interrogation is expected to provide crucial leads about the syndicate’s financial and logistical operations, including key sources in the US. A parallel financial probe has led to the identification of assets and bank accounts in Thailand, which are now being pursued for attachment under existing legal frameworks.
“These operations reflect our continued focus on dismantling international drug trafficking networks and targeting key operatives," an NCB official said.
