Delhi Police have successfully dismantled an interstate illegal arms supply network, arresting five individuals and seizing a cache of firearms intended for use by notorious gangs in extortion and land-grabbing activities.
Delhi police have busted an interstate illegal arms supply network linked to two notorious gangs, with five persons arrested, and 17 firearms and over 100 cartridges seized, an official said on Thursday.
The accused include Rahul Mathur alias Dogra, working as a financier, Surender alias Kala, a key arms supplier, and three of their associates. Another supplier, Iqbal (65), was apprehended from Hapur in Uttar Pradesh, police said.
The supply network is linked to the Gogi and Dinesh Kalra gangs, they said.
The operation was carried out after developing intelligence on illegal arms supply chains operating in Delhi and neighbouring states. Rahul was first apprehended while attempting to flee in an SUV, and four weapons were recovered from his possession.
Subsequent arrests led to the recovery of additional firearms from other accused.
Police said Surender Kala, already lodged in jail in an Arms Act case, was formally arrested in the case and revealed details of the supply chain. Based on his inputs, raids were conducted in Hapur, leading to the arrest of Iqbal and the recovery of more weapons.
The seized arms include a Glock 9 mm pistol, an Italian-made Beretta, and a Turkish-made Zoraki pistol, among others, along with 106 live cartridges and two SUVs.
Investigators said the accused were procuring weapons to strengthen gang dominance amid rivalries and were also involved in extortion and land-grabbing activities. Further investigation is underway.