The cybercrime unit has exposed Garvit Patel, the prime suspect behind the paper dip drug cartel, which smuggled drugs into Gujarat from collaborators in the US, Canada, and Thailand. Patel, a Surat builder’s son, is on the run after his associate, Kolesnikov Vasili, was arrested in Himachal Pradesh.
Previously, Patel had travelled to the US on a study visa. But due to suspected criminal involvement, he was deported back to India. The search is on not only for Patel but also for Kolesnikov’s cousin, believed to be in the US.
On September 29, the cybercrime unit cracked an international drug smuggling scheme, confiscating 23 parcels of drug-filled soft toys and books. The books’ pages were infused with cocaine, while hybrid cannabis was concealed within the soft toys.
On October 13, a significant arrest was made: Russian national Kolesnikov Vasili in Himachal Pradesh. He had breached his visa terms in India and collected parcels for Patel. The parcels, dispatched from Canada and Thailand with bogus addresses, were routed to Ahmedabad’s Shahibaug foreign post office. Vasili would then retrieve them from various spots in Gujarat.
An event manager from Ahmedabad, who procured the drugs from Patel, has been identified but remains at large.
Insiders revealed that during his US stint, Patel became a small-time drug peddler and used to deliver small zippers to the customers while he was studying. His involvement in criminal activity led to his deportation. “He became a drug addict and built links with drug dealers in the US. Collaborating with Ergo Vasili, Patel started to smuggle cocaine and hybrid cannabis parcels and distribute them to various Indian cities. Our teams are actively hunting for Patel, and we’ve also informed the Surat police to assist,” a cybercrime official stated.