A woman from Nagaland is among two people arrested after the Narcotics Control Bureau (OPS Branch), in collaboration with the Special Cell of Delhi Police, seized about 328 kilograms of high-quality methamphetamine from a residence in Chhatarpur, New Delhi on November 20. The operation, codenamed “Crystal Fortress,” is one of the biggest methamphetamine seizures in Delhi to date, according to an update from the PIB.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the breakthrough came after months of intelligence-based tracking and technical intercepts that uncovered a well-organised trans-national trafficking network using multiple couriers, safe houses and handlers.
The bulk seizure was made from the residence of the detained Nagaland woman with support from Nagaland Police, the ministry said.
The network is believed to be linked to a kingpin operating from abroad, who is also wanted in a case involving the seizure of 82.5 kilograms of high-grade cocaine in Delhi last year. Efforts are underway, in coordination with international enforcement partners, to secure his deportation to India.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in a post on X, congratulated the joint team for the operation, stating: “Our govt is shattering drug cartels at unprecedented pace. Fiercely pursuing the top-to-bottom and bottom-to-top approach to the investigation of drugs, a breakthrough was achieved by seizing 328 kg of methamphetamine worth Rs 262 crore in New Delhi and arresting two… The operation was a brilliant example of seamless multi-agency coordination to achieve PM Modi Ji’s vision for a drug-free India.”
The Ministry said “Crystal Fortress” underlines NCB’s continued focus on dismantling synthetic drug cartels and their trans-national networks. It added that citizens can share information on narcotics through the MANAS National Narcotics Helpline at toll-free number 1933.