NCB Uncovers Navin Chichkar’s Global Drug and Crypto Trail Across UAE, Thailand, UK, and Vanuatu

In a trail that spans across Nepal, the UAE, the UK, and Thailand, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has uncovered how alleged kingpin Navin Chichkar, accused in the Rs 200-crore drug haul case, bought a Republic of Vanuatu passport, tried investing crores in overseas properties, and used cryptocurrency to pay international traffickers before funnelling drug money through hawala.

NCB investigation revealed that Chichkar, who fled India in 2021 through the Nepal border, eventually made his way to the UAE, UK, and Thailand. He stated in his statement to the NCB that he had procured a passport of the Republic of Vanuatu and explored high-value real estate acquisitions in the UAE and Thailand. This included a Rs 2-crore lease agreement for a luxury property in Phuket province, which was forfeited after he defaulted on instalments. Officials said several other property negotiations in both countries also collapsed before completion.

Operating under the alias “Raven”, Chichkar was also engaged in the international drug trafficking involving ganja from a US-based supplier known only as “Wyatt”, paying in USDT cryptocurrency and routing consignments through distributors in Navi Mumbai. He allegedly relied on school friends and close associates Jayakrishna Gopakumar, Makarand Mane, and his own brother to push the drugs locally.

Chichkar told officials he met Wyatt in 2019 during the latter’s visit to Goa, where they discussed supplying ganja to India. He claimed to have paid Wyatt in advance via cryptocurrency for three consignments. In 2020, he allegedly tied up with “Taffi”, a US-based hydroponic ganja trafficker. Proceeds from sales, according to the NCB, were moved through a TRONLINK crypto wallet before being handed to Gopakumar, Mane, and co-accused Prabhat Pandey.

Chichkar also informed investigators that he was acquainted with a couple from Ulwe, Navi Mumbai, who were sourcing cocaine and ganja. In September–October 2024, he instructed aides Jayakrishna Gopakumar and Makarand Mane to approach the duo to identify their supplier. However, in November 2024, the couple was arrested in a separate narcotics case.

Chichkar further told the NCB that since Indian telephone numbers required IDs for activation, he used virtual numbers of foreign countries for operating through various communication channels, especially WhatsApp.

Co-accused Prabhat Pandey, another arrested suspect, told the NCB that he first came into contact with Chichkar in 2019 while consuming drugs. He alleged that Chichkar supplied him cocaine and ganja on credit before demanding repayment, after which he joined Chichkar’s drug operations. Pandey said he received drugs from Gopakumar, Mane, and Chichkar’s brother, and once handed over Rs 6 lakh in cash to co-accused Uday Gavande on Chichkar’s instructions.

Pandey also told officials he knew that drug-sale proceeds were being sent to Chichkar through hawala channels. He admitted to depositing money at least 25–30 times at a hawala office, totalling Rs 2–3 crore.