Noida: Police busted an alleged interstate drug trafficking network that used saree parcels to conceal and transport cannabis, arresting two men and seizing nearly 38 kg of the contraband valued at around Rs 25 lakh in the international market.The accused, Shubham Pathak (26) and Shivam Dubey (24), both natives of Ayodhya district currently residing in Delhi’s Mayur Vihar, were arrested in a joint operation by the Sector 20 police station and the special operations group (SOG). Police recovered 37.6 kg of cannabis and 39 sarees allegedly used to conceal and transport the contraband.Additional deputy commissioner of police Manisha Singh said the arrests were made following a tip-off. Acting on intelligence inputs, police laid a trap in Sector 17 and apprehended the two suspects. During the investigation, Pathak was identified as the alleged kingpin of the network.According to investigators, Pathak had been involved in the narcotics trade for the past two to three years. He had procured the cannabis from Odisha and Andhra Pradesh through courier services and distributed it across Delhi-NCR. To avoid detection, the contraband was concealed within saree packaging, making the parcels appear as routine clothing consignments.Police said Pathak frequently used incomplete or fake addresses while booking shipments. Before the parcels reached their listed destinations, he would allegedly coordinate with courier operators and take possession of them, helping evade law enforcement scrutiny.Officials said the seized cannabis was a high-potency variety sourced from select regions of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and hilly areas. Investigators believe the product commanded a higher price in the illegal market due to its stronger intoxicating effect.Both accused are graduates. A review of police records revealed that Pathak has an extensive criminal history. Since 2020, multiple cases, including charges related to attempted murder, fraud, forgery, the Gangsters Act and the Arms Act, have been registered against him at various police stations in Ayodhya district.Police further alleged that the network supplied cannabis to customers in slum clusters, industrial areas, universities and among students. The contraband was reportedly sold in small packets, generating profits of up to three times the procurement cost. Investigators are also examining several WhatsApp groups allegedly used to coordinate orders and deliveries.ACP Praveen Singh said efforts are underway to identify suppliers, buyers and other members of the interstate network spanning Odisha, West Bengal and Delhi-NCR. Authorities are also gathering details of the accused persons’ movable and immovable assets and may initiate proceedings under the Gangsters Act, including property attachment, if warranted.
