Patna Police Constable Under Scanner for Alleged Links to Major Drug Racket
In a significant development, a police constable posted in Bhagalpur has come under intense scrutiny for his alleged connections to a major drug racket that was recently busted by Patna police. The operation resulted in the seizure of more than 21 kilograms of high-grade smack, valued at approximately Rs 25 crore, and led to the arrest of two individuals.
Details of the Police Operation and Raids
Sharing comprehensive details of the operation on Saturday, Patna Senior Superintendent of Police Kartikeya K Sharma revealed that police conducted coordinated raids in the Alamganj and Ramkrishna Nagar areas on Friday night as part of a targeted crackdown on the narcotics trade. During the initial raid at an apartment in Alamganj, authorities arrested two persons and recovered 1.6 kilograms of smack, along with substantial amounts of cash and multiple cellphones.
During subsequent interrogation, the accused disclosed that they were operating from a rented room in Ramkrishna Nagar. A follow-up raid at this location led to the dramatic recovery of approximately 16 kilograms of raw smack in stone-like form and powder, along with 3.5 kilograms of an adulterant locally known as "power." Police also seized significant cash, bank cheques, and large industrial mixers and grinders that were being used to process and dilute the drug before sale.
Massive Narcotics Haul and Market Value
In total, the operation resulted in the recovery of 21.18 kilograms of narcotic substance, with an estimated market value of Rs 25 crore, according to SSP Sharma. Police confirmed that the seized smack was of exceptionally high quality and was being systematically adulterated before being distributed for sale. The Alamganj flat was allegedly used primarily for selling drugs, while the Ramkrishna Nagar premises served as the processing center for the illicit operation.
The two arrested men have been identified as Jitendra Kumar from Samastipur district and Nitish Kumar from Jehanabad district. Investigations revealed that Jitendra had previously been arrested five years ago in a similar case involving the seizure of 9 kilograms of smack and had served approximately 33 months in jail. After his release, he allegedly resumed the illegal trade with renewed vigor. Nitish, who worked as a tempo driver living near Bhootnath Road, was primarily involved in transporting the drugs across locations.
Constable Rishikesh's Alleged Involvement and Absconding Status
The SSP confirmed that the involvement of Police Training College-trained constable Rishikesh has emerged during the investigation. "He was earlier posted in Gaya and was transferred to Bhagalpur in July last year, but he never joined duty there and is currently absconding," Sharma stated. Authorities have seized bank cheques worth Rs 17 lakh in his name, and intensive raids are underway to trace and arrest him. Constable Rishikesh is a resident of Nalanda district.
Additional Seizures and Ongoing Investigation
During the Ramkrishna Nagar raid, police made additional alarming discoveries, recovering a pistol, a country-made firearm, two magazines, and two cartridges. Cash amounting to approximately Rs 2.15 lakh was seized from the two locations combined. Police sources indicate that the raw smack was being sourced from areas near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and that the racket had been operating for the past 1.5 to two years from newly constructed buildings taken on rent.
According to police officials, approximately 15 to 20 people are currently under the radar as the investigation expands. Efforts are now intensely focused on identifying the complete supply chain, financiers, and other key members of the gang, which mainly supplied drugs in prominent Patna areas such as Patna City, Kamla Nehru Park, and Cheena Kothi. The case highlights ongoing challenges in combating organized narcotics trade and potential corruption within law enforcement ranks.
