Dubai-based drug trafficker Pawan Thakur arrested, to be deported to India: How he ran a transnational cocaine racket

Dubai-based drug trafficker Pawan Thakur, accused of playing a central role in one of India’s largest cocaine seizures, has been arrested and will soon be deported to India, NDTV reported. Officials said his detention marks a significant step forward in busting an international narcotics network that moved high-value cocaine into the country.

According to officials cited in the report, Thakur allegedly controlled the supply chain of the cocaine operation from abroad. Investigators have traced the movement of the consignment, stating that the drugs first entered an Indian port and were then transported by truck to Delhi, where they were stored in a warehouse before being distributed to handlers operating in different locations.

Authorities described the network as one of the most complex and well-organised drug trafficking systems uncovered in recent years. They said Thakur was involved in directing key parts of the operation remotely while staying in Dubai.

In September, the Narcotics Control Bureau secured Interpol’s first-ever Silver Notice at the request of an Indian agency in connection with the case. The notice was issued for Thakur over the seizure of around 82 kg of cocaine recovered in Delhi in November 2024.

The NCB said the Silver Notice was published through close coordination with Interpol and would help international law enforcement agencies in tracking assets linked to Thakur’s alleged criminal proceeds. The aim was to identify, locate and trace properties and financial gains connected to the drug syndicate.

Officials said Thakur had emerged as the “mastermind” behind the import, export and trafficking of the seized cocaine. They added that he ensured the smooth movement of the consignment from the port to the capital while overseeing the distribution process through a network of handlers and associates.

It was claimed that Thakur not only organised the entry of the cocaine into India but also managed its onward movement through his contacts. His associates were responsible for warehousing and custodianship in Delhi. Meanwhile, Thakur coordinated between various players to ensure uninterrupted supply and delivery.

Investigations cited in the IANS report revealed that Thakur also operated a hawala network with branches in Dubai and Delhi. This network was allegedly used to transfer illegal funds generated from drug trafficking and channel them into the formal financial system through intermediaries.

The NCB stated that this financial route was crucial in sustaining the syndicate and concealing profits from law enforcement agencies. Thakur continued to run this network while living in Dubai, officials said.

The NCB reaffirmed that it is working closely with international partners to dismantle organised drug syndicates and disrupt their financial operations. Authorities believe Thakur’s arrest and upcoming deportation will help uncover more details about the network and lead to further arrests in the case.

Officials are now preparing to question him at length once he returns to India, as they aim to identify all individuals and channels linked to the narcotics and money-laundering operation.