Narco-trafficking kingpin Navpreet Singh extradited from Türkiye, Home Minister Amit Shah praises agencies

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah has announced the extradition of notorious narco-trafficking kingpin Navpreet Singh as a significant achievement. He praised all involved agencies for successfully executing this complex operation. Navpreet Singh had obtained Turkish citizenship using a fake identity under the name 'Navab Virk', but despite this, he remained active in smuggling heroin and methamphetamine from Afghanistan to India.

Indian agencies uncovered his true identity and succeeded in bringing him back. After being brought to India, he has been sent to jail for drug trafficking and other criminal cases. The Home Minister stated that the Modi government is committed to completely eliminating every narco-cartel from the country before December 2029.

The government has launched a coordinated campaign to bring back fugitives. According to data, a total of 288 fugitives have been brought back to India from 36 countries between 2019 and August 2026. The Home Minister noted that while previous governments lacked political will, it has now been made a national priority.

In this direction, the 'BHARTPOL' portal was launched in January 2025, which has accelerated the exchange of information between the CBI and state police. The response time for sharing information has reduced from 10-20 days to 3-10 days in some cases.

Strict action is also being taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Between 2019 and 2026, assets worth ₹17,874 crore belonging to fugitives have been seized, and a successful restitution of ₹18,762 crore has been ensured. In the last three years, Red Corner Notices have been issued against 401 fugitive criminals.