Navpreet Singh, a notorious drug trafficking leader wanted for multiple narcotics offenses and evading capture for several years, was deported from Türkiye and returned to India on Saturday. This information was shared by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in a post on social media.
Singh, who acquired Turkish citizenship under the assumed name Navab Virk, allegedly continued his operations smuggling heroin and methamphetamine from Afghanistan into India. Shah noted that Indian authorities meticulously tracked Singh, uncovering layers of his disguise to reveal his true identity, ultimately facilitating his deportation. He has now been detained in India in connection with various drug trafficking and other criminal charges. Shah congratulated the involved agencies for this significant achievement.
Describing the event as a “historic milestone,” Shah emphasized the government’s determination to dismantle every drug cartel by December 2029.
Originally from Punjab, the 34-year-old Singh, often referred to as ‘Nav’, had been at large for more than two years. He is believed to have led an extensive international drug syndicate, with operations in India managed by his cousin, Prabhdeep Singh.
Prabhdeep, known as ‘Harry’, was extradited from Azerbaijan on May 13 by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in collaboration with the Delhi Police Special Cell. He is wanted in connection with a narcotics case involving the seizure of 358 kg of heroin in 2021 and had been evading arrest since 2023 while serving in a paramilitary force.
India formally requested Navpreet’s extradition from Turkey during the 2023-24 period, as per sources familiar with the situation.
This deportation is part of an ongoing initiative by the Modi administration aimed at repatriating fugitive offenders, a mission that Shah links to the nation’s sovereignty, economic stability, law enforcement, and overall security.
In January 2025, Shah introduced BHARATPOL, an integrated platform that consolidates the efforts of the CBI, State Police Headquarters (via Interpol Liaison Officers), and District Police Headquarters. Currently, over 1,400 units from various state and central agencies are connected through this system.
Officials report that this platform has greatly reduced the time required for information sharing. What once took months to receive from international law enforcement partners is now typically obtained within 10 to 20 days, and in some cases even faster, within 3 to 10 days.
The Ministry of Home Affairs indicates that from 2019 to August 2026, India has successfully brought back 288 fugitives from 36 different countries. In the last three years, Interpol has issued Red Corner Notices for 401 fugitive criminals, with the yearly breakdown showing 40 in 2022, 100 in 2023, 107 in 2024, 112 in 2025, and 182 by July 2026.
Additionally, through rigorous implementation of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA), the Indian government has seized assets worth Rs 17,874 crore linked to fugitive criminals from 2019 to 2026.
