The Railway Protection Force made a significant drug bust in Ranchi on Friday. During a search operation at Hatia railway station, officials seized a massive 16 kilograms of cocaine.
Operation Narcos Leads to Major Seizure
RPF personnel conducted the raid under Operation Narcos. The operation targeted platform number one at Hatia station. A flying squad and local team worked together on this mission.
Suspicious Behavior Leads to Arrest
After the Puri-Hatia Express arrived, officers noticed two individuals acting suspiciously. The men were sitting with bags on their backs. Their behavior raised immediate red flags among the alert RPF team.
Officials approached the suspects for questioning. During interrogation, both men confessed their bags contained illegal drugs. Each person was carrying exactly eight kilograms of cocaine.
Arrested Individuals and Drug Origin
The RPF identified the arrested persons as Manoranjan Mallick and a minor. Both hail from different districts in Odisha. Mallick comes from Sambalpur while the minor is from Kandhamal.
Investigators revealed the drugs originated from Sambalpur in Odisha. This area has become known for large-scale cocaine supply operations. The narcotics were being transported to various parts of India.
Estimated Value and Legal Proceedings
The seized cocaine carries an estimated street value of Rs 8 lakh. This represents a substantial financial blow to the drug trafficking network.
After completing all legal formalities, the RPF handed both accused persons to the Government Railway Police. Authorities registered a case under the stringent NDPS Act.
Failed Delivery and Ongoing Investigation
An RPF official provided crucial details about the operation. "Both accused were supposed to deliver the drugs to another carrier at Hatia station," the official stated. "We intercepted them before the handover could occur."
The final destination of the cocaine remains unknown. Investigators could not apprehend the intended receivers at Hatia station. These individuals managed to evade capture during the operation.
This seizure highlights the ongoing battle against drug trafficking on India's railway network. The RPF continues its vigilance through operations like Narcos to combat such illegal activities.
