The ₹262-crore haul, codenamed Operation Crystal Fortress, is linked to a foreign kingpin also wanted in last year’s 83 kg cocaine case, investigators said.
BY PC Bureau
NEW DELHI: A Naga woman at the centre of a transnational drug syndicate has emerged as a key link in one of Delhi’s biggest methamphetamine seizures, after the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Delhi Police’s Special Cell recovered 329 kg of methamphetamine worth ₹262 crore from a house in south Delhi’s Chattarpur on November 20.
The woman, Esther Kinimi from Nagaland, was arrested following a coordinated operation codenamed Operation Crystal Fortress, which targeted a synthetic drug network believed to be controlled by a foreign-based kingpin. Investigators say this kingpin is also wanted in last year’s massive 83 kg cocaine seizure in the capital.
The joint operation, driven by months of intelligence inputs, surveillance and intercepted communications, exposed a cartel using multiple couriers, safe houses, fake SIM cards and encrypted apps to run a pan-India and international trafficking chain, with Delhi serving as a major distribution hub.
Union home minister Amit Shah said the Centre was “shattering drug cartels at an unprecedented pace”, calling the success of Operation Crystal Fortress “a brilliant example of seamless multi-agency coordination to achieve PM Modi’s vision of a drug-free India”.
A joint team of NCB and Delhi Police busted a drug cartel by seizing 328 kg of methamphetamine worth Rs 262 crore in New Delhi and arresting two people.
(Pic Source: NCB) https://t.co/TCtGdVrJSI pic.twitter.com/qKEwt1jD9l
— ANI (@ANI) November 23, 2025
Arrested courier leads investigators to Naga woman
One of the two arrested suspects, Shane Waris (25) of Amroha, Uttar Pradesh — a sales manager by profession — was first picked up from Noida’s Sector 5. Acting under instructions from his handler, Waris allegedly used fake SIM cards and encrypted communication platforms such as WhatsApp and Zangi to execute drug movements.
During interrogation, Waris gave investigators crucial leads, including details of the Naga woman associate. He identified Esther Kinimi, who he said had recently overseen one of the narcotic consignments routed through a delivery rider of a logistics platform. Waris shared her address, contact details, and operational instructions.
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329 kg meth seized from Chattarpur house
Acting swiftly on the intelligence, NCB teams raided Kinimi’s residence in Chattarpur Enclave Phase-II, recovering the staggering methamphetamine haul. Kinimi was arrested with assistance from the Nagaland Police.
Preliminary findings suggest that the seized consignment was part of a larger, well-structured cartel. “The investigation indicates Waris was actively involved in a synthetic drug trafficking syndicate working under foreign operators,” an officer said.
Authorities are now coordinating with international enforcement agencies to track down the kingpin and initiate steps for his deportation to India for trial.
Probe widens across supply, finance and logistics chain
Officials say the seizure is among the largest methamphetamine recoveries in Delhi, and that a wider investigation is underway to map the syndicate’s supply routes, financial trails, logistics nodes, safe houses, and possible storage facilities.
The crackdown, officers said, is far from over as efforts continue to dismantle the entire network behind the high-value narcotics operation.
