STF arrests alleged kingpin of online narcotics racket supplying drugs to students across NCR

A key operative of a narcotics trafficking network, Gaurav Khanna, has been arrested in Uttar Pradesh for supplying imported drugs to students through social media and the dark web.

The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has arrested an alleged key operative of an organised narcotics trafficking network accused of supplying imported drugs to students in educational institutions across Delhi-NCR, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh through social media platforms and the dark web, officials said on Monday.

The accused, identified as Gaurav Khanna (48), a resident of Raj Nagar Extension in Ghaziabad, was arrested from Pari Chowk in Greater Noida on Sunday, Additional Superintendent of Police, STF Noida, Raj Kumar Mishra said.

Police recovered a mobile phone, two ATM cards and three debit cards from his possession, he said.

According to the STF, the gang allegedly operated through community groups and broadcast lists created on social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram to sell imported ''OG'' marijuana, charas, ganja and other narcotic substances, primarily targeting college students and hostel residents.

Mishra said another member of the gang, identified as Karan Rajiv of Ghaziabad, had earlier been arrested on May 5 along with narcotics, after which Khanna went absconding.

During interrogation, Khanna allegedly told investigators that he began the online narcotics trade in 2019 and procured imported marijuana from Thailand, charas from Himachal Pradesh and other drugs through contacts established on the dark web.

Police said he allegedly used cryptocurrency for payments and arranged delivery of narcotics through courier services using fictitious addresses.

According to STF officials, the accused used social media groups linked to colleges and hostels to advertise narcotics and accept orders online.

Payments were allegedly collected through UPI transactions into multiple bank accounts.

The narcotics were then supplied through app-based delivery and transport platforms such as Rapido, Uber, Ola and Porter, police said, adding that the contraband was packaged to resemble harmless electronic items such as pen drives or computer accessories.

Investigators said Khanna had opened accounts in several banks and registered two private limited companies allegedly to facilitate the illegal trade. Preliminary investigation revealed that he operated around 17 bank accounts, police said.

During questioning, Khanna also disclosed that he had studied BBA at D A V PG College in Faridabad and had earlier been jailed in connection with the murder of a fellow student during his college days, officials said.

Further investigation into the racket and its alleged international links is underway, the STF added.