India
oi-Swastika Sruti
India has succeeded in deporting alleged kingpin of drug trafficking Navpreet Singh from Turkey, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs. As per government sources, Navpreet Singh managed to obtain Turkish nationality under the identity of Navab Virk and was a part of an international group dealing in drug smuggling.
Alleged drug smuggling kingpin Navpreet Singh was deported from Turkey to India, where he had obtained citizenship under the name Navab Virk. Indian agencies tracked him and brought him back to face drug trafficking charges registered in Punjab and Delhi.
This development was informed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who further mentioned that Indian agencies had been tracking Navpreet Singh and cooperating with their counterparts across the globe in his extradition to India.
Navpreet Singh has now been extradited to India and detained in connection with drug trafficking charges and others.
India secures deportation of hardened narco-trafficking kingpin Navpreet Singh from Türkiye, says Ministry of Home Affairs.
Obtaining Turkish citizenship under the fake identity of Navab Virk, he had continued to smuggle heroin and methamphetamine to India from Afghanistan.… pic.twitter.com/q23XtIho4P
— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2026
Navpreet Singh Used An Assumed Identity In Türkiye
As per the Ministry of Home Affairs, Singh had obtained Turkish nationality using the name Navab Virk.
The government claimed that he had kept running his alleged drug trafficking network from outside the country.
Shah informed that Indian agencies had been trying to figure out who Navpreet Singh was despite the alias name he was using in Türkiye.
“Historic milestone achieved by Modi government by obtaining deportation of hardened narco-trafficking kingpin Navpreet Singh from Türkiye,” Shah posted while announcing the news.
He also congratulated the agencies that brought him to India.
Wanted In Punjab And Delhi Cases
People familiar with the matter said Singh is wanted in connection with cases registered by the Punjab Police and Delhi Police. Following his deportation, he has been brought back to India and placed in custody. The cases against him will now be dealt with by Indian investigating agencies and courts.
The deportation is being viewed by the government as part of its wider efforts to target drug networks operating across international borders.
Second Major Drug Fugitive Deported From Türkiye
Navpreet Singh is reportedly the second major drug-linked fugitive to be deported from Türkiye in recent months.
Earlier, Salim Dola, described by Indian agencies as a key aide of wanted terrorist and underworld figure Dawood Ibrahim, was deported from Türkiye to India.
Indian central agencies have been coordinating with authorities in Türkiye, the UAE and other countries to locate and bring back fugitives wanted in India.
The latest deportation highlights the growing focus on international cooperation in cases where alleged drug traffickers operate from outside the country.
Government Sets 2029 Target To Break Narco-Cartels
The deportation comes as the Centre steps up its campaign against organised drug trafficking. Amit Shah has set a target of making India free from drug cartels by December 2029. The government has been focusing on disrupting the entire drug supply chain, from production and trafficking to distribution inside India.
At the third annual anti-narcotics conference on September 22, Shah also called for stronger action against foreign-based accused involved in supplying drugs to India.
He said fugitives involved in sending drugs into the country should be traced, brought before Indian courts and prevented from returning to India after being deported.
25 Top Drug Fugitives Identified
As part of the government’s three-year anti-drug strategy, agencies have identified 25 high-profile drug smugglers believed to be operating from abroad.
According to the government, two of those fugitives have already been brought back to India.
The Centre has also asked individual states to identify major drug traffickers operating within their jurisdictions and take action against them before the December 2029 deadline.
The strategy involves greater coordination between central and state agencies, along with cooperation from foreign law-enforcement authorities.
Focus On International Drug Networks
The case of Navpreet Singh also highlights the challenge faced by Indian agencies when alleged drug traffickers operate from foreign countries and use different identities.
According to the Home Ministry, Singh allegedly continued his drug-related activities from Türkiye while using the identity Navab Virk.
His deportation is now expected to allow Indian agencies to pursue the cases registered against him and investigate the wider network allegedly connected to him.
