Jharkhand Police Execute Major Drug Bust: 716 kg of Doda Seized, Three Arrested
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Ranchi/Palamu, March 31 (NationPress) The Jharkhand Police have successfully intercepted over 700 kg of unlawful ‘doda’, a crucial ingredient for opium production, during coordinated raids conducted in Ranchi and Palamu, as confirmed by officials on Tuesday.
Three suspected smugglers were taken into custody, along with cash and a vehicle utilized in the illicit operation.
This seizure is part of a heightened anti-drug initiative being pursued across the state.
In Palamu, acting on a tip-off from Superintendent of Police Reeshma Ramesan, a specialized team led by DSP Rajiv Ranjan executed a late-night operation around 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday in the vicinity of the Manatu police station. An SUV was stopped during a routine vehicle check at the police station entrance.
A thorough search of the vehicle uncovered 216 kg of doda. Two individuals—Sanjeev Sharma, hailing from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, and Nizamuddin Rain from Garhwa—were arrested on-site. The police estimated the value of the confiscated contraband at approximately Rs 35 lakh in the illegal market.
During questioning, the accused disclosed that the consignment originated from the Lawalong and Pratappur regions in Chatra, intended for transport to Uttar Pradesh for resale at inflated prices, suggesting a cross-border trafficking operation.
In a separate raid in Ranchi, police targeted a residence in the Namkum area based on specific intelligence concerning narcotics storage. This operation yielded around 500 kg of doda and more than Rs 2 lakh in cash. One suspect was apprehended and is currently under interrogation.
The police are actively working to trace the supply chain and dismantle the broader network responsible for this trade.
Investigators are also exploring the potential involvement of “white-collar” individuals connected to the operation.
Officials noted that one of the accused, Nizamuddin Rain, has a criminal history, with previous cases filed against him under the NDPS Act.