Did Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh Police Just Bust an Opium Smuggling Ring Worth Rs 1 Crore?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Hazaribagh, Jan 23 (NationPress) In a significant operation targeting the illicit drug trade, the police in Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh successfully confiscated 20.5 kg of opium valued at around Rs 1 crore in the international market, arresting three suspected smugglers on Friday, as reported by officials.
The arrests took place in the Lohsinghna police station jurisdiction after authorities received a tip concerning suspicious activities in the Kolghati locality of the city. Following this intelligence, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was established to conduct an inquiry.
Sadar Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Amit Anand stated that the police had received detailed information about three individuals on a white Apache motorcycle who were reportedly traversing the Kolghati area with a shipment of drugs, poised to execute a significant transaction.
“We promptly verified the information, after which an SIT was formed under my leadership. A rigorous search operation was initiated in Kolghati and its neighboring regions,” Anand elaborated.
During the crackdown, authorities stopped a white Apache motorcycle that matched the earlier description. Upon searching the vehicle, they discovered 20.5 kg of opium hidden in a bag on the motorcycle. The vehicle was confiscated, and the three individuals were apprehended.
The suspects have been identified as Deepak Kumar Dangi, Barun Kumar, and Sudesh Yadav, all hailing from the Giddhaur police station area in Chatra district.
Initial investigations indicate that the accused might be part of a broader opium trafficking network spanning multiple districts. Efforts are in progress to track the origin of the drugs and pinpoint the intended distribution locations.
“Through interrogating the apprehended individuals, we aim to delineate the entire smuggling network and identify other participants in this illicit trade,” stated SDPO Anand.
An FIR has been filed at the Lohsinghna police station under Case No. 07/26, invoking pertinent sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. A deeper investigation is ongoing.