To crack down on Dubai-based drug dealer Pawan Thakur, NCB gets its first Interpol silver notice issued

An NCB spokesperson said in a statement, “Investigations conducted by the NCB have established that Thakur is the mastermind behind the import, export, and trafficking of the seized cocaine. He arranged for the consignment’s import through an Indian port and facilitated its onward movement to Delhi by road. His associates managed warehousing and custodianship of the contraband in Delhi, while he personally mediated among handlers to ensure smooth distribution.”

“During the investigation, it was further revealed that Thakur operates a hawala network with bases in Dubai and Delhi, channeling illicit funds and laundering proceeds of narcotics trafficking into the formal financial system through his associates. He is currently residing in Dubai and continues to operate his narcotics trafficking and money-laundering syndicate from there,” the spokesperson alleged.

Interpol’s silver notice came into being in January. It is one of the eight colour-coded notices issued by the Lyon, France-based international police cooperation organisation. Interpol is conducting a pilot project for this notice with the participation of 52 member countries, including India. The exercise is expected to continue till November this year.

“The NCB has urged law enforcement agencies, financial intelligence units, and asset recovery offices across Interpol member countries to extend cooperation by providing information on properties and assets linked to the fugitive,” the spokesperson said.