New Delhi: A major illegal arms smuggling and fake currency racket using coded messaging, social media platforms, and digitally coordinated logistics has been busted by the Delhi Police’s Special Cell, leading to the arrest of five suspects, including a former Indian Railways employee, police said on Friday.
According to DCP (Special Cell) Amit Kaushik, the syndicate sourced illegal firearms from Madhya Pradesh and counterfeit currency from Siwan, Bihar, distributing them across Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab.
The police recovered 10 pistols, 68 live cartridges, fake ₹500 notes worth ₹4.10 lakh, and three vehicles, including a custom-built bulletproof SUV.
The arrested accused have been identified as Ravi Thakur (35), an auto driver from Mathura; Yogesh Phogat (28), financier of arms purchases; Meera (27), a key logistics link; Kuldeep alias Chhotu (33), a former railway Group D staffer; and Samsu Khan alias Rehan (27), the alleged kingpin.
Ravi was the first to be nabbed on July 6 near a transit point in Delhi, carrying five pistols and 10 rounds of ammunition. His confession led to the arrest of Yogesh, from whose vehicle police recovered one more pistol.
Kuldeep, who joined Indian Railways in 2014 but later became absconding after a financial dispute case in 2019, was arrested with another pistol and 35 cartridges. He had modified an SUV into a bulletproof vehicle and was previously arrested in Sonipat in 2023 for gunrunning.
Meera, who operated from Mathura and had ties with Khan, was apprehended on July 24, and her home search yielded five live rounds. She was allegedly instrumental in supplying arms across Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and even Mumbai.
Following her arrest, police raided a location in Firozabad, arresting Samsu Khan, wanted by the UP Anti-Terror Squad in a 2024 arms case. From his residence, they seized three pistols, 28 cartridges, and ₹4.10 lakh in fake currency.
Khan reportedly operated from Hooghly, West Bengal, and coordinated smuggling activities using encrypted communications. He is also believed to be responsible for the fake currency supply from Siwan, Bihar.
Police are now expanding the investigation to track down remaining members of the cartel and unearth the complete arms and fake currency supply network.
