New Delhi, Jul 25 (PTI):  An illegal arms and fake currency smuggling cartel that utilised coded messaging on social media platforms to coordinate operations has been busted and five of its members, including a former railway employee, were arrested, a police official said on Friday.

He said the cartel sourced illegal firearms from Madhya Pradesh and counterfeit currency from Siwan in Bihar, and distributed them across Delhi, Haryana and Punjab.

Ten pistols, 68 cartridges, fake currency worth Rs 4.10 lakh in Rs 500 denomination, and three vehicles, including a bulletproof SUV, were recovered from their possession, the official said.