In a dramatic turn of events, the Uttar Pradesh Police conducted a surprise raid at the residence of alleged drug trafficker Tasleem Khan in Meerut on Friday, only to discover an elaborate 100-meter-long escape tunnel with a concealed entry point.
The Raid and the Astonishing Discovery
The police operation was launched following the arrest of Tasleem Khan's son, Shahbaz Khan, and an associate named Mohd Salman on Thursday. The duo was caught with a substantial quantity of 530 grams of hashish, leading to a case under the stringent NDPS Act. During their interrogation, the name of the alleged kingpin, Tasleem Khan, surfaced, prompting the swift raid on his house the next day.
However, the police team, hoping to corner the accused, was met with an unexpected architectural marvel of crime. Instead of finding Tasleem, they uncovered a fully constructed 100-meter tunnel hidden within the premises. Investigators believe the man, who is in his mid-50s, used this secret passage to evade capture just moments before the police arrived.
A Decades-Old Syndicate and Evasive Tactics
SSP Meerut Vipin Tada confirmed the details to the media, stating that efforts to locate Tasleem are intensifying. The tunnel, which stretched from Tasleem's house to a nearby wedding venue, is suspected to have been used for moving contraband undetected. The house has been sealed, and forensic teams are meticulously examining the tunnel to map its exit routes and identify potential storage points used in the illegal trade.
Police records paint Tasleem Khan as a seasoned drug kingpin with a history of inventive evasion. His alleged tactics include:
- Using children as couriers for the contraband trade.
- Once disguising himself as a person with disability and using a modified scooter to avoid arrest.
Authorities state that Tasleem has allegedly been running a family-operated narcotics syndicate for over three decades. He faces more than 50 criminal cases, and properties worth crores of rupees linked to him have already been seized under the Gangster Act. Past arrests have seen him secure bail and promptly return to his illegal activities, according to the police.
Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps
In a significant follow-up, the police have written to the Meerut Development Authority (MDA) to conduct a thorough inspection of the illegally constructed tunnel and the property. Further legal and administrative action will be based on the authority's report.
This raid underscores the challenges law enforcement faces against entrenched criminal networks that employ sophisticated methods. The UP Police remain determined, with SSP Tada asserting, "He escaped. Nevertheless, we'll find him soon." The hunt for the elusive Tasleem Khan continues as the probe into his widespread narcotics operation deepens.
