Delhi-based suspect Apurba Thakur apprehended from Narela; investigation examines alleged narcotics supply chain, digital communications and financial links
Narcotics investigations took a major turn after the Delhi Crime Branch, in coordination with Charaideo District Police of Assam, apprehended a 27-year-old Delhi-based man who investigators allege was supplying psychotropic tablets to an interstate narcotics network operating between Delhi and Assam. The probe has also uncovered suspected links between the network and an alleged active cadre of the United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA(I)), prompting authorities to examine a possible narco-terror nexus.
The accused, identified as Apurba Thakur, was traced to the Narela area of Delhi following a coordinated operation by the Western Range-II (WR-II) of the Crime Branch. He was wanted in connection with Case No. 24/2026, registered at Mathurapur Police Station in Charaideo district, Assam, under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, along with sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967.
According to the Crime Branch, Thakur was subsequently handed over to an Assam Police team and produced before a competent court in New Delhi. The court granted four days of transit remand, allowing Assam Police to take him to Assam for further investigation.
Investigation Began With Heroin Seizure in Assam
The case dates back to July 17, 2026, when Mathurapur Police in Assam acted on specific intelligence and intercepted a Maruti Suzuki Swift on Dhodor Ali Road in Majgaon.
During a search of the vehicle, police allegedly recovered 46.11 grams of suspected heroin. The substance was reportedly concealed inside soap boxes placed in a hidden chamber of the vehicle. The seizure marked the beginning of a wider narcotics investigation into the suspected interstate network.
The occupant, identified as Manuj Gogoi of Dibrugarh, Assam, was arrested and a case was registered under the NDPS Act.
Investigators subsequently questioned Gogoi, who allegedly disclosed the involvement of another person, Bhaskar Gogoi of Joypur, Tipam. Bhaskar Gogoi was later arrested as part of the investigation.
The probe then expanded beyond the initial heroin seizure as investigators examined digital evidence and communications associated with the accused persons in the suspected narcotics network.
Digital Evidence Allegedly Revealed Wider Network
According to the Crime Branch, technical examination of Bhaskar Gogoi’s mobile phone provided investigators with information about his alleged links with Debasish Dahutia of Kakopather.
The investigation also allegedly uncovered communication with an individual believed to be associated with ULFA(I), using a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) number. Investigators are examining whether the communication had any connection with the suspected narcotics trade.
Debasish Dahutia was subsequently apprehended along with another accused, Bitu Hazarika. During the continuing investigation, the alleged ULFA(I) operative was identified as Mridupawan Dahutia, who, according to investigators, had allegedly joined ULFA(I) in 2011.
The investigation subsequently shifted focus towards the suspected movement of psychotropic tablets from Delhi to Assam, leading authorities to investigate a possible interstate narcotics supply chain.
Delhi Connection Emerges During Probe
The Assam Police investigation allegedly identified Apurba Thakur as a suspected Delhi-based source or supplier of psychotropic tablets for the network.
According to investigators, examination of digital evidence and other inputs indicated that a consignment of psychotropic tablets had reportedly been dispatched from Delhi towards Assam, raising further questions about the suspected narcotics distribution network.
The Crime Branch said investigators also found that information about police action against members of the network was allegedly communicated to Mridupawan Dahutia after Bhaskar Gogoi’s arrest. Following the communication, the movement of the suspected consignment was reportedly halted, allegedly to avoid detection by law-enforcement authorities.
These developments led Assam Police to seek assistance from the Delhi Crime Branch in locating and apprehending Thakur as part of the wider narcotics investigation.
Delhi Crime Branch Launches Coordinated Operation
On August 25, 2026, the Crime Branch received a request from Assam Police seeking assistance in tracing the Delhi-based suspect.
Considering the interstate nature of the investigation, a dedicated team of WR-II, Crime Branch, was constituted to locate Thakur and investigate his alleged role in the narcotics supply chain.
The team was led by Inspector Akshay Gahlaut and included SI Manoj Kumar Meena, ASI Jitender, Head Constables Sushil, Mayank Tyagi, Naveen, Raju Ram and Bhanwar Singh, Constable Sandeep and Woman Constable Kiran.
The operation was conducted under the close supervision of ACP/WR-II Rajpal Dabas and on the directions of DCP/Crime Branch Harsh Indora.
Investigators used a combination of technical inputs and manual surveillance to establish the suspect’s whereabouts. After sustained efforts, the team traced Thakur to Narela in Delhi, where he was apprehended.
He was subsequently handed over to an Assam Police team led by Dy. SP Aryan Nath of Charaideo District Police.
Following verification and completion of legal procedures, Assam Police formally arrested Thakur and produced him before the competent court in New Delhi. The court granted four days of transit remand for his transfer to Assam.
WhatsApp Communications Under Scanner
A major component of the investigation is the digital evidence allegedly recovered from Thakur’s mobile phone.
According to the Crime Branch, examination of the device revealed WhatsApp communication dating back to 2025 between Thakur and Mridupawan Dahutia, who investigators have identified as an alleged active ULFA(I) cadre.
The existence and nature of these communications are now being examined by investigators to establish the extent of Thakur’s alleged association with the wider narcotics network.
Police have also reportedly recovered an invoice relating to a consignment of psychotropic tablets from the mobile phone. Investigators believe the document could provide important leads regarding the procurement and movement of the substances.
Authorities are expected to examine the communications, transaction records and other digital material to determine the precise role allegedly played by Thakur in the suspected narcotics supply chain.
Financial Trail Also Being Examined
Investigators have also identified a financial transaction that they believe requires further examination.
According to the press release, a Paytm transaction involving lakhs of rupees was detected between Apurba Thakur and Boby Gogoi, the wife of arrested accused Bhaskar Gogoi.
The Crime Branch has clarified that the exact purpose and nature of the transaction remain under investigation.
Financial records can potentially help investigators establish relationships between individuals within a suspected criminal network, identify movement of funds and determine whether transactions were connected to the alleged procurement or distribution of narcotics or psychotropic substances.
In this case, police are examining the financial transaction alongside the digital communications and invoice recovered during the investigation.
Suspected Narco-Terror Nexus Being Investigated
One of the most significant aspects of the case is the alleged connection between the narcotics network and ULFA(I).
The Crime Branch said the sustained communication between Thakur and the alleged ULFA(I) cadre, combined with the suspected supply of psychotropic substances and the financial trail, has raised the possibility of a wider narco-terror nexus.
However, investigators are still working to establish the exact nature of these alleged connections.
Authorities are examining whether money generated through narcotics trafficking may have been channelled towards or used to support unlawful or terrorist activities. At this stage, the suspected nexus remains an active line of investigation rather than an established conclusion.
The probe is therefore focused not only on the alleged movement of psychotropic tablets but also on determining whether the narcotics trade had any financial or operational connection with unlawful activities.
Who Is Apurba Thakur?
According to the Crime Branch, Apurba Thakur is the son of Amarendra Kumar Thakur. He is presently residing in Narela, Delhi, and is originally from Muzaffarpur district in Bihar.
Investigators said Thakur came to Delhi in 2016 after completing education up to Class 10.
In 2022, he reportedly began working as a medical representative, a role through which he allegedly developed knowledge of the pharmaceutical sector. After approximately a year, he reportedly started working independently as a medicine trader on a commission basis.
Investigators now allege that this experience may have enabled him to emerge as a Delhi-based source or supplier of psychotropic tablets for the interstate network under investigation.
His professional background, alleged contacts, digital records and financial transactions are being examined to establish the extent of his involvement.
Investigation to Trace Complete Supply Chain
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities focusing on several aspects of the suspected network.
Investigators are working to identify the original source of the psychotropic tablets, trace the suspected consignment reportedly sent from Delhi towards Assam and identify other suppliers, intermediaries and intended recipients.
The complete digital trail is also being examined, including communications between the accused and other suspected members of the network.
At the same time, investigators are analysing financial transactions to determine whether additional monetary links exist between individuals associated with the suspected supply chain.
Another key objective is to establish the exact nature of Thakur’s alleged association with Mridupawan Dahutia and other individuals named during the investigation.
Authorities are also examining whether narcotics-related proceeds were potentially used to finance unlawful activities.
Interstate Police Coordination Highlighted
The apprehension of Thakur highlights the role of interstate coordination in investigations involving organised narcotics networks that allegedly operate across geographical boundaries.
The initial case began with a heroin seizure in Assam but subsequently expanded into an investigation involving suspected psychotropic tablet procurement from Delhi, digital communications, financial transactions and alleged links to an unlawful organisation.
The Crime Branch said the joint operation demonstrated the importance of intelligence sharing and coordinated action between police forces in different states when investigating organised criminal networks.
The arrest is expected to help Assam Police further investigate the suspected supply chain and determine the roles of other individuals who may have been involved.
With the accused now being taken to Assam on transit remand, investigators are likely to conduct further questioning and examine additional evidence to establish the complete chain of procurement, transportation, distribution and financing.
For now, the alleged involvement of individual suspects and the suspected narco-terror connection remain subject to the ongoing investigation and judicial proceedings. Authorities have said further action will follow as additional evidence and linkages are established.
