India Extradites High-Profile Fugitive Prabhdeep Singh from Azerbaijan

File photo NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) announced on Wednesday the successful extradition of high-profile fugitive Prabhdeep Singh from Azerbaijan, marking a significant breakthrough in a major international narcotics investigation. Singh, the subject of an Interpol Red Notice, was escorted back to India by a specialized three-member team from the Delhi Police and arrived in the capital on May 13, 2026. The operation was the culmination of a multi-agency effort involving the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Delhi Police. Singh is identified as the primary organizer of a large-scale narcotics syndicate previously targeted by the New Delhi Special Cell. The original case, registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, saw the recovery of a substantial quantity of illegal drugs and the arrest of several co-conspirators, though Singh had remained at large until his recent capture. Following Singh's initial detection and arrest by authorities in Baku, Indian officials formally initiated the extradition process through legal channels. The CBI, acting in its capacity as the National Central Bureau for INTERPOL in India, utilized the BHARATPOL network to coordinate the logistics of the return. This successful repatriation adds to an increasing tally of overseas captures, with officials noting that over 160 wanted criminals have been brought back to face Indian justice in recent years due to strengthened international law enforcement cooperation. Singh has been taken into custody upon arrival to undergo further legal proceedings