The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has successfully secured the extradition of Navin Gurunath Chinchkar from Malaysia. Chinchkar, a key figure in a sophisticated drug syndicate, had been operating across borders while evading Indian law enforcement since his earlier escape following a case linked to LSD trafficking in 2021.
His arrest was made possible after the NCB issued a Red Corner Notice through Interpol, following which Malaysian authorities, in coordination with Indian agencies, apprehended the fugitive. The extradition follows NCB’s sustained diplomatic and intelligence coordination with Southeast Asian enforcement agencies.
Chinchkar’s criminal network came into the spotlight in January 2025, when customs intercepted a parcel headed to Australia via DHL Courier. Hidden inside a projector was 200 grams of cocaine, sent from Mumbai. This seemingly routine seizure unraveled an expansive international drug operation.
Massive Drug Seizures Uncover Transnational Cocaine Trail
Following the seizure, NCB raided Chinchkar’s residence in Navi Mumbai, uncovering 11.540 kg of cocaine, 4.9 kg of cannabis, and 5.5 kg of cannabis-infused gummies. These recoveries pointed to a well-oiled drug trafficking network, sourcing cocaine from the United States and routing it through India for further distribution both domestically and internationally.
Further investigations unearthed a network of accomplices, including:
- Clearing House Agents (CHAs) who facilitated smuggling through air cargo routes
- Hawala operators responsible for laundering proceeds and routing payments
So far, eight individuals have been arrested in connection with the case, with Chinchkar being identified as the primary mastermind. His prior record with the NCB, particularly in a case involving LSD trafficking, made his arrest all the more critical for ongoing operations.
Financial Probe Expands: Properties, Accounts Traced to Thailand
Beyond the seizure of narcotics, the NCB has now turned its focus toward financial forensics. Investigators have traced properties and bank accounts in Thailand linked to Chinchkar, and are preparing to initiate attachment proceedings against these assets under relevant anti-money laundering and drug control laws.
Earlier this month, in a related development, the NCB also successfully deported an accused from the UAE connected to a drug trafficking case in Bengaluru, further signaling the agency’s global push to clamp down on illicit narcotics networks.
The NCB believes Chinchkar’s interrogation will yield critical insights into the supply chain, especially sources in the United States, logistics pathways, and financial conduits used to support the trade.
To further bolster the fight against drug trafficking, the agency is encouraging citizen participation through its MANAS National Narcotics Helpline (Toll-Free: 1933), assuring confidentiality for whistleblowers.
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A Landmark Victory Against Global Drug Trafficking
Chinchkar’s extradition marks a turning point in India’s fight against narcotics, underscoring the NCB’s growing international reach and effective collaboration with foreign agencies. The case reflects how India’s anti-drug enforcement is now scaling beyond borders, targeting not just domestic peddlers but also the kingpins orchestrating trafficking from foreign shores.
As the financial investigation continues and new arrests are anticipated, the NCB’s strategic pursuit could expose deeper layers of the narcotics underworld that operate globally yet strike locally—through every illicit parcel, bribe, or hawala deal.