ANTF raids four drug networks in Rajasthan; 5 arrested, opium and smack seized
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Rajasthan's Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) on Friday, 19 June executed four simultaneous crackdowns across Jalore, Beawar, and Jaipur, dismantling multiple drug trafficking networks and arresting five alleged drug peddlers. The coordinated operations led to the recovery of opium, smack (heroin), and cannabis, along with cash allegedly linked to narcotics sales.
Operations at a Glance
The four-pronged drive was conducted under the guidance of Rajasthan Director General of Police (DGP) Rajiv Kumar Sharma and executed based on specific intelligence inputs, according to ANTF Inspector General of Police (IGP) Vikas Kumar. Local police units from Bhinmal, Beawar City, Shivdaspura, and Narayan Vihar participated in joint action with ANTF teams.
Key Seizures and Arrests
In Jalore district, ANTF and Bhinmal police raided a residence in Jeran village, recovering 938 grams of opium allegedly concealed inside the kitchen. Jutharam Devasi, 48, was arrested from the premises.
In Beawar, a surveillance team intercepted a couple near Kanchan Petrol Pump after intelligence indicated narcotics were being delivered by scooter. A search of the vehicle's storage compartment yielded 24.88 grams of smack. Deepak Kumar, 45, and his wife Lakshmi Devi, 43, residents of Sansi Basti, Chhawani, Beawar in Ajmer district, were taken into custody. The scooter was also seized.
In Jaipur Rural's Shivdaspura area, a raid on slums behind Purnima College resulted in the recovery of 335 grams of cannabis, 0.71 grams of smack, and ₹21,500 in cash allegedly from drug sales. The suspect, Sharbat Devi, 55, a resident of Tonk district, attempted to flee but was apprehended with the assistance of female constables.
The fourth operation, in Jayashankar Colony on New Sanganer Road under Narayan Vihar police station in Jaipur city, led to the arrest of Lali Devi, 32, who was found with 142 grams of cannabis and ₹2,000 in cash after she allegedly tried to escape on spotting the police team.
What Officials Said
IGP Vikas Kumar described the operation as a significant milestone in Rajasthan's sustained campaign against narcotics trafficking. He commended personnel from all four participating units and announced that officers involved would be recognised at a special felicitation function at ANTF headquarters.
Public Appeal and Contact Details
The ANTF has urged citizens to report drug-related activity through its control room at 0141-2502877 or via WhatsApp at 9261225056, assuring that informant identities will be kept strictly confidential. This call for public cooperation underscores the agency's reliance on community intelligence — a recurring feature of its recent operations across the state.
With Rajasthan's proximity to opium-cultivating regions and cross-border trafficking routes, anti-narcotics authorities have intensified coordinated operations in recent months. Friday's four-front crackdown signals a shift toward simultaneous, intelligence-led strikes rather than isolated raids.