Major Drug Bust in Gumla: Three Arrested with Narcotics Worth Lakhs
In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, Gumla police achieved their largest-ever narcotics seizure on Tuesday, apprehending three individuals and confiscating 258 grams of brown sugar valued at approximately Rs 10 lakh.
The Operation and Arrests
The successful operation was initiated after Gumla Superintendent of Police Haris Bin Zaman received credible intelligence about drug peddling activities. According to the tip-off, one Badal Sahu had procured brown sugar from Garhwa district and planned to sell it at Chatar maidan on Tuesday.
Acting swiftly on this information, a specialized police team was formed under the leadership of Sub-Divisional Police Officer Suresh Prasad Yadav. The team, which included Gumla police station OC Mahendra Karmali, reached the suspected location where they spotted three young men approaching.
"When the suspects noticed the police presence, they attempted to escape but were promptly chased and apprehended by our team," stated SDPO Yadav during a press briefing on Wednesday.
Recovery and Investigation Details
During the subsequent search operation, police made significant recoveries:
- 250 grams of brown sugar from a yellow-colored bag carried by Badal Sahu
- Rs 14,150 in cash from Sahu's possession
- Two mobile phones (Techno Spark and Nothing Company models) from Sahu's pant pockets
- 8 grams of brown sugar and another mobile phone from Sunil Prajapati
The arrested individuals have been identified as:
- Badal Sahu (33) - resident of Chaha Bairagi Bagan area, Gumla
- Vikas Kumar Baitha (24) - from Laxman Nagar locality, Gumla town
- Sunil Prajapati (22) - native of Bhauron village under Bhandra police station limits, Lohardaga district, currently residing in Gumla
Drug Supply Chain Revealed
During interrogation, the accused revealed crucial information about their drug supply network. According to SDPO Yadav, "The accused confessed they purchased the banned substance from Ankit Kumar, a resident of Tildag Mor in Garhwa district, and were planning to distribute it across various areas of Gumla district."
Police officials emphasized the significance of this seizure, noting that the market value of the confiscated narcotics could reach approximately Rs 10 lakhs. This operation marks the largest drug seizure in Gumla's recent history.
Legal Proceedings and Past Records
SDPO Yadav provided additional context about one of the accused, noting that "Badal Sahu has been sent to jail in the past for similar offenses, but he returned to illegal activities despite previous legal action."
All three accused have been formally charged with cognizable offenses and were sent to judicial custody on Wednesday. The case continues to develop as police investigate potential connections to broader drug networks in the region.
This major drug bust demonstrates Gumla police's intensified efforts to combat narcotics trafficking in the district, sending a strong message to drug peddlers operating in the region.
