'Operation Kawach': Delhi Police crack down on narcotics trade, 907 locations raided, 700+ arrested

In a 24-hour operation dubbed 'Operation Kawach,' Delhi Police raided 907 locations known for drug trafficking, resulting in the detention of 1,240 individuals and the arrest of over 700. The operation, aimed at combating drug trafficking in the national capital, led to the identification of 64 drug hotspots and the seizure of significant quantities of drugs, cash, and vehicles.

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Delhi Police identified 64 hotspots for narcotics trade and executed raids at 907 sites during a 24-hour operation known as ' Operation Kawach ' and out of 1,240 people detained, more than 700 were arrested, an official said on Thursday. Delhi Police identified 64 narcotics hotspots and carried out raids at 907 locations. Out of 1,240 people detained, over 700 were arrested, an official reported on Thursday.

Special Commissioner of Police (crime branch) Devesh Chandra Srivastava said that all Delhi Police units, including Crime Branch, Special Cell and 15 district police forces, participated in this 24-hour operation from November 12 to 13. "All the units detained 1,224 people under the operation conducted at 907 locations. We have arrested more than 700 people during the entire operation," he said, news agency PTI reported.



During the operation, law enforcement teams seized 870.1 grams of heroin, 244.8 kilograms of ganja, 16.

1 grams of cocaine and 434 grams of MDMA. Additional seizures included Rs 34,420 in cash, a 20-gram gold chain, one motorcycle, one scooter and one tempo. They arrested 14 individuals in Arms Act cases, recovering six country-made pistols, nine live cartridges, eight knives and 15 stolen motorcycles.

The official confirmed that teams have located 64 hotspots where narcotics trading occurs in the capital. These locations will remain under constant surveillance. "To eradicate the drug menace from society, all concerned have been directed to take strong effective action against the narco-offenders.

The Delhi Police till October 31 have arrested 1,268 narco-offenders in 886 NDPS cases and recovered about 71.1 kilograms of heroin/smack, 1,293 kilograms of cocaine, 3,241 kilograms of ganja, 103 kilograms of opium, 50.5 kilograms of charas, 80.

5 kilograms of poppy heads," the officer said. "Some of the accused are serial offenders and some of the accused were caught red-handed when they were going to deliver drugs. During these operations, the police also nabbed a Nigerian national who was involved in drug supplying," he added.

'Operation Kawach' represents a periodic initiative by Delhi Police aimed at targeting criminals and drug traffickers within the national capital. 'Operation Kawach' started across Delhi in May 2023, targeting the identification and arrest of people involved in narcotics trafficking and distribution, the officer said. Intelligence reports suggest that numerous major drug traffickers have gone into hiding, with key operators avoiding the transport of commercial quantities into Delhi.

Authorities reported that they prosecuted 44 people under the COTPA Act..