Ahmedabad, Jan 27 (NationPress) – The Special Operations Group (SOG) Crime Branch of Ahmedabad has successfully apprehended an Indian national who had previously been incarcerated in Nepal related to an international drug trafficking incident. This individual had escaped during a prison disturbance amidst widespread protests, as confirmed by police on Tuesday.

The suspect has been identified as Dharmesh Chunara, a resident of Ahmedabad.

Authorities stated that Chunara was captured following a targeted operation by the SOG Crime Branch, which was initiated after intelligence was received from central agencies regarding Indian nationals who had fled from Nepalese prisons.

According to reports, Chunara was arrested at Kathmandu airport last July after arriving from Bangkok on Thai Airways flight TG-319. He was allegedly found with 13 kg of hybrid ganja, valued at approximately Rs 13 crore, and was charged under Nepal’s narcotics legislation.

Upon his arrest, he was placed in Bhadra Jail in Kathmandu, where legal proceedings were pending. In September, significant protests erupted in Nepal, leading to damage at the jail.

During this unrest, numerous inmates managed to escape. Following this incident, the Nepalese government compiled a list of those who had fled, including Indian nationals, and communicated this to Indian authorities via the Border Security Force in Delhi.

In response to this information, the CID Crime Branch in Gandhinagar instructed district units to locate the escaped Indian criminal.

An SOG official indicated that Chunara’s complete address was not included in the initial list. “Through human intelligence and technical surveillance, a team led by Police Sub-Inspector J B Desai was able to track his movements and confirm his presence in Ahmedabad,” the official stated.

During initial questioning, Chunara reportedly confessed that he had escaped from Bhadra Jail during the chaos and subsequently crossed into India through the Sunauli border before returning to Ahmedabad.

He was taken into custody for further legal proceedings. Police noted that he was found hiding at a relative’s home at the time of his capture.

Crime Branch JCP Sharad Singhal mentioned, "The mother-in-law of the arrested individual is a documented bootlegger in the Kagadapith area and is involved in the liquor trade. As Dharmesh fell into substantial debt, he engaged in drug trafficking. Investigations have also revealed that he had previously smuggled marijuana into India via Nepal. Another suspect from Surat in this case remains at large."

A senior officer added that coordination is ongoing with central agencies concerning the subsequent course of action. “We are completing necessary procedural formalities. Further steps, including extradition and prosecution matters, will be undertaken in consultation with central agencies,” the officer noted.

Police have also confirmed that no criminal case has been filed against Chunara in Ahmedabad thus far.

Nonetheless, investigators are exploring whether he had any local connections or involvement in drug trafficking networks operating between Nepal and India. Ongoing investigations continue to unfold.