The Hindustan Times reported that Navin Chichkar, who allegedly headed the syndicate while in Malaysia, is now in the custody of India’s Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Mumbai.

A Mumbai court has placed him under NCB remand.

Navin’s arrest reportedly followed a joint operation involving Interpol, India’s Central Bureau of Investigation and Malaysian enforcement authorities.

The NCB is said to have been tracking the suspect for several years, while Interpol recently issued a Red Notice following a request by the agency.

Navin was first linked to a drug trafficking case in 2021 but allegedly absconded. He then surfaced in Thailand before moving to Malaysia, where he was recently located and detained.

In January, the NCB seized 200gm of cocaine concealed in a projector being flown to Australia via a private courier.

The bust led investigators to a larger cache of narcotics allegedly linked to the same network. In total, the agency has so far confiscated 11.7kg of cocaine, 4.9kg of cannabis and 5.5kg of cannabis-based gummies from suspected syndicate members.

The NCB’s probe is said to have uncovered an elaborate drug trafficking route involving the shipment of cocaine from the US to India, and further distribution domestically and internationally.

Customs agents and operators of the hawala system, an informal value transfer system based on the performance and honour of a huge network of money brokers, are said to be involved in the syndicate.

“Navin’s interrogation is likely to reveal more details of his operations, including the source of drugs in the US,” the Hindustan Times quoted an NCB source as saying.

“Financial investigations have already led to the identification of assets, including properties and bank accounts in Thailand. Efforts are under way for their attachment,” the official added.

Eight people have been arrested so far in connection with the case.

FMT has reached out to Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain for comment.