In a significant crackdown on illegal drug trade, the Nadi police station in Patna conducted a successful raid on a grocery store, uncovering a clandestine narcotics operation. The action led to the seizure of a substantial quantity of marijuana and the immediate arrest of the shopkeeper.
Surprise Raid Uncovers Drug Racket
Acting on specific intelligence about suspicious activities, plain-clothes police officers from the Nadi police station began surveillance on a grocery store located in the Kacchi Dargah area. After confirming the tip-off, the team executed a surprise raid at the shop. The operation resulted in the recovery of 2.2 kilograms of marijuana that was being sold illegally under the cover of the legitimate business. The contraband has an estimated international market value of approximately Rs 40,000 to 45,000.
The police swiftly arrested the shopkeeper, identified as Dhananjay Rai, a resident of Rampur Shyamchand village in the Raghopur area of Vaishali district. A formal case has been registered against him under the stringent Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Station House Officer (SHO) Shankar Jha confirmed the arrest and stated that further investigations are in progress to determine if the accused was part of a larger smuggling network.
Separate Arrests for Social Media Weapons Display and Extortion
In an unrelated incident, the Phulwarisharif police arrested two individuals after a video of them brandishing weapons went viral on social media. The arrested persons include Mohammad Altamas, a resident of Naya Tola Nohsa, who has multiple prior criminal cases and a history of imprisonment, and a minor boy. City SP (West) Bhanu Pratap Singh stated that police launched an immediate probe upon seeing the video and successfully apprehended the duo. "Interrogation is ongoing to trace the illegal weapon featured in the clip," he added.
In yet another case highlighting law and order actions, the Khusrupur police arrested a notorious criminal, Mukesh Kumar, for extorting money from tempo drivers at the Bhuski tempo stand in Patna. The accused was allegedly demanding Rs 20 per trip from drivers under the pretext of "numbering," and would assault and threaten those who refused to pay. Following complaints from the drivers, a police team led by SHO Sanjeev Kumar Singh raided the stand and took Kumar into custody. During a search, the police recovered a country-made pistol and four live cartridges from him.
Ongoing Investigations and Crackdown
These series of arrests across different police jurisdictions in Patna underscore a concerted effort by the police force to tackle various forms of crime, from narcotics peddling and illegal arms to intimidation and extortion. The authorities have emphasized that investigations in all three cases are actively continuing. The police aim to dig deeper into potential connections and networks to ensure a comprehensive crackdown on criminal activities within the city.
