In a major crackdown on cross-border narcotics smuggling, the Visakhapatnam Zonal Unit of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) successfully dismantled an organized network trafficking hashish oil. The operation, executed on Tuesday night, led to the arrest of five individuals and the confiscation of a significant quantity of the banned substance.
Sting Operation at Railway Station
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, a dedicated team of NCB officers, supported by the Railway Protection Force (RPF), carried out a meticulously planned raid at Duvvada Railway Station. The targeted operation resulted in the interception of the suspects and the seizure of 4 kilograms of hashish oil.
Following a thorough examination, all five persons were taken into custody under the stringent provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The group comprised individuals with distinct roles within the trafficking chain.
Roles and Origins of the Accused
The arrested include two men from Thrissur district in Kerala, identified as the intended receivers. They had traveled to Paderu to coordinate with the supplier. The supplier, a resident of Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh, was also apprehended at the scene.
The remaining two accused, including one woman, were employed as carriers. They were allegedly paid by the receivers to transport the contraband to Kerala. A senior NCB official explained the modus operandi: "The receivers avoided carrying the drugs themselves due to the fear of being caught in possession. All five had traveled together by bus from Paderu to Duvvada."
Past Records and Ongoing Probe
Preliminary investigations have uncovered that the supplier and both receivers have a history of involvement in previous NDPS cases. The NCB is now deepening its probe to identify and apprehend other members connected to this interstate syndicate.
Highlighting the significance of the operation, an officer stated, "This preventive action underscores the NCB's unwavering commitment to breaking organized drug trafficking rings that operate across state lines. We are intensifying our efforts to curb the narcotics menace and protect society from drug abuse."
The bureau has also made a public appeal for support in the fight against drugs. Citizens can share any credible information related to narcotics anonymously through the MANAS – National Narcotics Helpline (Toll-Free Number: 1933). The identity of informants is guaranteed to be kept confidential.
