New Delhi, October 3, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A Delhi court on Saturday remanded alleged international drug trafficker Navpreet Singh to 10 days of police custody following his deportation from Turkey, where he was allegedly operating under the assumed identity of Navab Virk.
Singh was produced before the Rouse Avenue Court after being brought back to India in connection with a major narcotics trafficking case. Police sought his custodial interrogation to investigate the alleged international drug network, establish the roles of other accused and trace its wider operations.
The defence opposed the police remand plea, arguing that Singh’s statement had already been recorded and that further investigation could proceed without additional custodial questioning. Advocate Asgar Khan, appearing for Singh, told IANS that the defence had presented its arguments against the remand, but the court granted the police request.
Investigating agencies have alleged that Singh was a key handler in an international narcotics trafficking network operating between Afghanistan, India and Turkey. He is accused of facilitating the trafficking of heroin and methamphetamine from Afghanistan to India while operating from Turkey.
His name had surfaced in connection with a major narcotics case registered in Delhi in 2021, in which investigators reported the recovery of around 355.5 kg of heroin from the accused.
According to investigating agencies, Singh allegedly used the identity Navab Virk to obtain Turkish citizenship while continuing to operate the drug network.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah described Singh’s deportation as a “historic milestone” for the Narendra Modi-led government. In a post on X, Shah said Indian agencies had tracked Singh, uncovered his alleged identity and secured his deportation. He also congratulated the agencies involved in the operation.
Shah reiterated the Centre’s commitment to dismantling every narco-cartel before December 2029. The Ministry of Home Affairs said Singh’s deportation was part of efforts to bring back fugitives accused of serious crimes.
The development follows the return of suspected drug trafficker Mohammad Salim Dola from Turkey and fugitive Prabhdeep Singh from Azerbaijan in connection with major narcotics cases.
The investigation into Navpreet Singh and other accused is ongoing.
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