Bihar drug bust: ₹4 crore heroin-like substance seized in East Champaran, two arrested
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Police in Bihar's East Champaran district have seized 1.806 kg of a substance suspected to be fine-quality heroin — locally referred to as smack — with an estimated street value of ₹4 crore, and arrested two alleged drug traffickers following a tip-off-based operation on Friday night, 24 October 2026. The seizure was made near the Lakshmipur check post in the Raxaul area, a region that shares a border with Nepal.
How the Operation Unfolded
According to police, the operation was initiated after a tip-off received during routine patrolling in the Raxaul police station area indicated that a large consignment of a smack-like substance was being transported from Sugauli towards Raxaul in a white Scorpio SUV via the Lakshmipur check post.
Senior police officials were alerted, and a joint team was constituted under the leadership of the Raxaul Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO). The team included personnel from the Special Task Force (STF), Motihari, along with the Block Agriculture Officer. The vehicle was intercepted near the check post and searched, leading to the recovery of the suspected narcotic substance and the arrest of its two occupants.
Who Was Arrested
The two individuals taken into custody have been identified as Ramesh Kumar, a resident of Ward No. 14 under the Raxaul police station jurisdiction, and Sandeep Kumar, a resident of Bahuarwa village under Palanwa police station limits. According to police, Sandeep Kumar has a prior criminal record, including a previous case registered against him under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at Raxaul police station.
Items Seized
Alongside the suspected narcotic, police also recovered a Scorpio vehicle, two mobile phones, and a gold locket from the accused. An FIR bearing Case No. 477/26 has been registered at Raxaul Police Station. Further legal proceedings are underway.
Investigation and Border Context
Investigators are currently examining the source of the suspected narcotics, their intended destination, and the possible involvement of other individuals in the trafficking network. Police are also probing whether the seized vehicle was regularly used for contraband transport.
The seizure is significant given the Raxaul region's proximity to the India-Nepal border, a corridor reportedly vulnerable to cross-border drug smuggling. Notably, the substance is yet to be confirmed through forensic testing to establish its exact identity and composition. Further details about the alleged trafficking network are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.