Police in Shimla have arrested three drug peddlers, including a native of Uttar Pradesh, and seized 242 grams of chitta (heroin) from their possession near Shoghi, about 13 kilometres from the state capital. The accused were identified as Suraj Chauhan, originally from Deoria district in Uttar Pradesh and currently residing in Kumarsain, Shimla; Inderdev alias Danu, a resident of Sunni, Shimla; and Moti Sharma, a resident of New Shimla.
Tip-off leads to arrest
Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), Shimla City, Meher Panwar said that on Monday, a Special Cell team of the district police received a tip-off about several individuals carrying a large quantity of chitta and being present in a vehicle near Shoghi. Acting promptly, the police team intercepted the vehicle and during checking found the contraband in their possession. The three were arrested immediately and the contraband seized. A case under sections 21 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 was registered against them at Police Station, West.
Main accused is a history sheeter
ASP Panwar stated that preliminary investigation revealed Inderdev is the main accused and a habitual drug trafficker with a criminal record. Over 53 previous criminal cases have been registered against him, including nine cases under the NDPS Act, as well as cases under the Arms Act, the Excise Act, and theft. He was previously detained for three months under the PIT-NDPS Act and was released from jail on June 21, 2026. Investigations indicate he is an active member of a drug trafficking network supplying chitta to hundreds of youth in Sunni, Rampur, Kumarsain, and other regions within the district.
Ongoing investigation
The ASP said further investigation is ongoing and linkages are being established. Financial and technical evidence are being analysed to identify more individuals involved in the network, who will be arrested soon. Police are also examining the source of the heroin and the distribution channels used by the syndicate.
