Drug supplier held, police probe suspected ULFA(I) link
New Delhi: Apurba Thakur was apprehended from Narela by Delhi Police in coordination with Assam Police. He was wanted in a case registered in Assam’s Charaideo district under the NDPS Act and UAPA.
A 27-year-old Delhi-based man has been arrested for allegedly supplying psychotropic tablets to an interstate narcotics network suspected to have links with the banned ULFA(I), with investigators probing a possible “narco-terror” angle.
Apurba Thakur was apprehended from Narela by Delhi Police in coordination with Assam Police. He was wanted in a case registered in Assam’s Charaideo district under the NDPS Act and UAPA.
The investigation began after Assam Police intercepted a car on July 17 and allegedly recovered 46.11 grams of heroin concealed in soap boxes inside a hidden compartment. The occupant, Manuj Gogoi, was arrested.
His interrogation led police to Bhaskar Gogoi. Examination of Bhaskar’s phone allegedly revealed VoIP communications with Debasish Dahutia and a person suspected to be ULFA(I) cadre Mridupawan Dahutia, who police say joined the outfit in 2011. Debasish and Bitu Hazarika were subsequently apprehended.
Investigators then uncovered a suspected interstate supply chain of psychotropic tablets, with Thakur emerging as an alleged Delhi source. Police said digital evidence indicated that a consignment had been dispatched towards Assam but its movement was halted after information about Bhaskar’s arrest allegedly reached Mridupawan.
Assam Police sought Delhi Police assistance on August 25. Thakur was traced to Narela and arrested. A Delhi court granted four days’ transit remand to take him to Assam.
Police claimed Thakur’s devices contained communications with Mridupawan dating to 2025 and an invoice for psychotropic tablets. Investigators also detected an online transaction involving several lakhs between Thakur and Bhaskar’s wife, Boby Gogoi.
Police are examining whether proceeds from narcotics trafficking were used to finance unlawful or terrorist activities and are trying to identify other suppliers, intermediaries and recipients.