The Shimla police have arrested three suspected drug peddlers, one of whom is a history-sheeter with over 53 criminal cases, and seized 242 grams of chitta (heroin) from a vehicle intercepted near Shoghi, about 13 km from the state capital. The operation was carried out by a Special Cell team of the district police based on a tip-off on Monday.
Accused Identified
The accused have been identified as Suraj Chauhan, a native of Deoria district in Uttar Pradesh currently residing in Kumarsain; Inder Dev alias Danu, a resident of Sunni; and Moti Sharma, a resident of New Shimla. According to Additional Superintendent of Police (City) Meher Panwar, the police acted on a tip-off that a group carrying a large quantity of chitta was travelling in a vehicle near Shoghi. The police intercepted the vehicle and recovered 242 grams of heroin during a search. The three occupants were arrested on the spot and the contraband seized.
Legal Action
A case under Sections 21 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, has been registered at the West Police Station. The ASP said preliminary investigations revealed that Inder Dev, the prime accused, is a habitual offender and a history-sheeter. More than 53 criminal cases have been registered against him, including nine under the NDPS Act, besides cases under the Arms Act, the Excise Act and theft.
History of Offences
She said he had been detained for three months under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and was released from jail on June 21. Investigations indicate that he was an active member of a drug trafficking network supplying chitta to hundreds of youths in Sunni, Rampur, Kumarsain and other parts of Shimla. The police are investigating further to identify other members of the network.
