In a significant crackdown on narcotics supply, the Noida Police apprehended two alleged interstate drug peddlers in separate operations on Thursday. The coordinated actions led to the seizure of a substantial 74 kilograms of marijuana, disrupting key supply channels into the National Capital Region (NCR).
Seasoned Smuggler Nabbed with 64kg Contraband
Acting on intelligence, a team from the Phase-1 police station arrested a 47-year-old supplier identified as Nitai Sarkar, alias Chupa Bengali, near the Jhundpura border. Sarkar, originally from Dinajpur in West Bengal and a current resident of Noida's Sector 44, is accused of regularly transporting marijuana from West Bengal to the NCR via train networks.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Noida) Yamuna Prasad stated that authorities recovered 64kg of marijuana, valued at approximately Rs 15 lakh, and a stolen e-rickshaw from the accused. "He used a specific modus operandi, bringing a variety known locally as Golden Mirchi from West Bengal in 5-6kg packets," Prasad explained. "To evade detection, he would hide these packets in different train coaches. Upon arrival, the consignment was stored in stolen e-rickshaws for distribution to retailers in Delhi."
Police investigations reveal that Sarkar is not a novice; he has allegedly been entrenched in this illegal trade for nearly eight years. He faces over half a dozen criminal cases registered against him across Delhi and the NCR. His criminal history includes a prior arrest in 2019 along with his wife in Noida's Sector 39 area, where 17kg of marijuana was confiscated.
Second Peddler Arrested in Ghaziabad with 10kg Stock
In a parallel and separate operation, personnel from the Sector 24 police station arrested another suspect from Ghaziabad. Identified as Mohammad Imran, who also uses aliases like Shahrukh, Murad, and Dilla, he was caught with 10kg of marijuana.
According to officials, Imran's method involved procuring the narcotics at lower prices and selling them locally for profit. His criminal dossier appears extensive, with police records indicating more than 20 criminal cases related to drugs already registered against him in Noida and Delhi.
Police Probe Aims to Unravel Supply Chain
Following these arrests, the focus of the Noida Police has shifted to a deeper investigation. Special teams are now actively working to verify the complete supply chain and identify the primary sources from which the two accused procured the large quantities of narcotics.
These successful interdictions highlight the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to curb the flow of illegal drugs into the urban centers of the NCR. The seizures represent a major financial blow to the local drug trade and are expected to temporarily disrupt the availability of marijuana in the region.
