The Fatehabad police on Wednesday arrested two alleged interstate drug traffickers, including a man posing as a journalist, and seized 13.06 kg of opium valued at around Rs 70 lakh. The arrest was made by the CIA Ratia team near Dhangar bridge on NH-9 following a specific tip-off.
Details of the Arrest
Addressing a press conference, ASP Divyanshi Singla said the police intercepted a Honda City car and recovered the contraband during a search. The occupants were identified as Ishwar Lal of Neemuch district and Sona Prajapati of Raisen district, both in Madhya Pradesh. The vehicle displayed stickers of the Hindi daily Dainik Sudarshan Today on the front and rear windshields. The accused were also carrying media identity cards and a microphone ID, which investigators suspect were being used to avoid routine police checks and create the impression that they were journalists.
Investigation into Misuse of Media Credentials
Officials said the alleged misuse of media credentials is being investigated and appropriate legal action will be taken if the documents are found to have been fraudulently obtained or misused. According to the police, Ishwar Lal has a previous case registered under the NDPS Act in Bathinda, Punjab. A fresh case has now been registered at Sadar Fatehabad police station under relevant provisions of the NDPS Act.
Police Remand and Network Tracing
The accused will be taken on police remand to trace the interstate drug supply network, including the source of the contraband, intended recipients and other associates involved in the racket.
Separate Action Against Drug Trafficking
In a separate action against drug trafficking, Fatehabad police froze a residential property worth about Rs 30 lakh belonging to alleged drug peddler Suresh alias Shesha of Tohana under Section 68-F of the NDPS Act. The police said that the property was allegedly acquired from proceeds of illicit drug trade.
