India, June 24 -- Delhi Police have busted a massive smuggling racket involving aviation turbine fuel (ATF), arresting six men and detaining two others for allegedly siphoning off thousands of litres of the highly regulated and expensive fuel meant for aircraft, and selling it in the black market across Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and other states.

ATF, a highly flammable aviation-grade fuel, is strictly regulated and primarily used by airlines, making its theft a serious threat to both safety and the economy. Police said the racket caused an estimated loss of Rs.1.62 crore per month to the national exchequer.

A raid was conducted on Sunday at a godown in Delhi's Mundka village following months of surveillance and a tip...