Narco-Trafficking Kingpin Navpreet Singh Extradited from Turkey; Home Minister Amit Shah Congratulates Agencies
The Indian government has successfully extradited notorious drug smuggler Navpreet Singh from Turkey, who has been imprisoned on charges of drug trafficking and other crimes.
Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, has congratulated all the agencies that ensured the extradition of notorious narco-trafficking kingpin Navpreet Singh from Turkey. According to information shared on the X platform, Navpreet Singh had obtained Turkish citizenship using a fake identity under the name 'Nawab Virk,' yet he remained involved in the smuggling of heroin and methamphetamine from Afghanistan into India.
The Home Minister stated that Indian agencies exposed his fake identity, uncovered his true identity, and succeeded in bringing him back. Upon his return to India, Navpreet Singh was sent to jail in connection with drug trafficking and other criminal cases. Shri Amit Shah emphasized that the Modi government is committed to eliminating every narco-cartel before December 2029.
Providing details on the efforts to bring back fugitives, the Home Minister noted that from 2019 to August 2026, a total of 288 fugitives have been brought back to India from 36 countries. He stated that the Modi government has made the extradition of fugitives a 'national priority,' emphasizing three pillars: global campaigns, strong coordination, and smart diplomacy.
The government implemented the NIA Amendment Act and the UAPA Amendment Act in 2019 and shifted the process of bringing back fugitives into 'mission mode' after 2020. In this direction, 'BHARTPOL' was launched in January 2025, creating a comprehensive information infrastructure by integrating the CBI, state police headquarters, and district police headquarters. More than 1,400 unit offices are connected to this portal, which has reduced the time required for information sharing.
Due to the strict implementation of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), assets worth ₹17,874 crore belonging to fugitives were seized between 2019 and 2026, and a successful restitution of ₹18,762 crore was achieved. In the last three years, Red Corner Notices have been issued against 401 fugitive criminals, while a total of 182 Red Corner Notices were issued until July 2026.
