Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has issued an Interpol’s silver notice against a large drug smuggler Pawan Thakur living in Dubai. This step has been taken for the first time in the history of India and is considered to be a major achievement against global drug trafficking syndicates.
Pawan Thakur is alleged to have smuggled about 82 kg high quality cocaine (about ₹ 2,500 crore) caught in Delhi in November 2024. The consignment was first landed at a port in India and then brought to Delhi by truck, where it was hidden in the warehouse.
Silver notice can check the assets, business and financial transactions of Thakur and confiscate illegal assets by the agencies of 196 member countries of Interpol. The notice has also been sent to UAE, Singapore, Hong Kong and several European countries, where Thakur has invested heavy through shell companies and fake organizations.
Investigation has revealed that Thakur was earlier a hawala agent in Kucha Mahajani Market of Delhi, but gradually he created a large network of drug smuggling. He rotated black money worth billions of rupees through hawala, cryptocurrency and fake import-export documents. Investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) also revealed that its network launched a money laundering of more than ₹ 681 crore.
Despite several notices of the ED, Thakur did not participate in the investigation, on which Delhi’s Patiala House Court issued a non-bailable warrant against him. After catching a consignment of cocaine in November 2024, he fled to Dubai with his family and is running his network from there. It is said that he has many luxury properties and vehicles in Dubai, including a luxurious villa in Dubai Hills.
In Nangloi area of Delhi, NCB raided a property related to Thakur and recovered 82 kg of cocaine. The goods came from Mexico and was to be sent further Australia. 5 Thakur’s associates were arrested in this case.
In the year 2025 itself, NCB has been successful in bringing four big smugglers Naveen Chichkar and Lijo Josh from abroad. Currently the status of interpol notice is as follows:
Blue Corner notice: for 21 drug smugglers
Red Corner Notice: 10 biggest absconding criminals
Silver notice: India released for the first time, against Pawan Thakur
Extradition request: 3 are still pending
