From taxi to traffic: the double life of the Delhi taxi driver

NEW DELHI: Of late, a taxi driver’s name would often crop up during intelligence gathering, keeping cops on their toes. The taxi driver was not only dropping off passengers, but also transporting drugs to student areas. When criminal officers finally arrested him, they came across a massive consignment of ecstasy brought over for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Nearly 6,800 colorful tablets of the notorious ‘love drug’, weighing 3 kg and worth over Rs 5.5 crore, were seized and two suspected cartel members – taxi driver Santan Goswami and his assistant Ikechukwu – arrested.
“Goswami and Ikechukwu were part of a well-organized narco-syndicate distributing controlled drugs across international borders,” said Devesh Srivastava, head of the Crime Branch of Delhi Police.
The seized contraband came from abroad through courier services, police said. “On November 14, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force, Crime Branch, received a tip-off regarding Goswa-mi, who was selling MDMA, cocaine and ecstasy. Subsequently, a team was formed to intercept it. He intercepted the road near Kalibari Apartments, Gol Market and arrested Goswami. He was found to be in possession of 33 grams of MDMA,” said Sanjay Bhatia, additional CP (crime).
After investigation, Ikechukwu, a Nigerian living in Chhatarpur, was arrested. He was said to have been one of Goswami’s suppliers. During the search of his rented house, data from four package tracking IDs was discovered. The packages were found to have come from overseas and contained 6,790 ecstasy tablets.
According to DCP (crime) Bhisham Singh, Goswami previously worked as a taxi driver and came in contact with an African national involved in drug supply. “He had contact with drug users through his profile as a taxi driver and he supplied mainly in areas like Connaught Place and its adjacent localities, which had party venues, in addition to student hubs near the south campus” , said DCP Singh. Ikechukwu arrived in India eight years ago and is a key member of the drug syndicate, he added.
The resurgence of the love drug in Delhi’s party scene is a cause for concern. With its promise of euphoria and heightened sensations, it can tempt many young people, but the risks are real and the consequences can be fatal. Chemically known as MDMA, this drug has been linked to increased feelings of emotional connection and sensory enhancement. According to experts, ecstasy releases oxytocin, a hormone associated with social bonding, attachment and intimacy.
“It can create a feeling of deep emotional connection with others. This can increase feelings of empathy and understanding towards others, leading to a sense of unity and togetherness,” said an officer.
However, ecstasy can be highly addictive and lead to anxiety, depression and psychosis, research shows. This can pose short- and long-term risks, including increased heart rate and blood pressure, dehydration, overheating, and damage to the brain’s serotonergic system, leading to depression.