Uttarakhand Police Launch Major Crackdown, Attach Rs 6.7 Crore in Illegal Assets from Alleged Drug Traffickers
In a significant move to dismantle the financial backbone of narcotics operations, the Udham Singh Nagar police in Uttarakhand have initiated legal proceedings to attach illegal properties valued at nearly Rs 6.7 crore. This decisive action targets two alleged drug traffickers as part of an intensified district-wide crackdown on drug-related activities.
First Case: Rifaquat of Bareilly and Rs 3.7 Crore in Assets
The first case involves Rifaquat, a resident of Fatehganj West in Bareilly, who was apprehended by authorities on January 1, 2025. His arrest followed an incident where he allegedly fired at police personnel during a routine check at Pulbhatta. During the operation, law enforcement recovered a substantial 1,060 grams of smack (heroin) along with a country-made pistol.
Subsequent investigations uncovered that Rifaquat had amassed assets worth approximately Rs 3.7 crore, which are believed to have been acquired through illicit drug trafficking. The police are now taking steps to attach these properties under the stringent provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, aiming to cripple his financial operations permanently.
Second Case: Sanjay Gupta and Inter-State Ganja Network
In a separate but equally critical development, Sanjay Gupta, a resident of Rudrapur, has been allegedly linked to a major inter-state ganja (cannabis) distribution network. This connection came to light after police seized a massive 434.7 kilograms of ganja from a vehicle on April 11, 2025.
Investigations into Gupta's activities revealed assets valued at around Rs 3 crore, including various properties and vehicles. Authorities are moving to attach these under Section 68 (F) of the NDPS Act, which specifically allows for the confiscation of properties derived from or used in drug trafficking, thereby targeting the economic infrastructure of such criminal enterprises.
Police Commitment and Public Appeal
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Ganpati emphasized the department's unwavering commitment to eradicating drug-related crimes from the region. "We are fully dedicated to dismantling the financial networks that sustain drug traffickers," stated SSP Ganpati. "Our strategy includes attaching properties that have been acquired through illegal means, ensuring that crime does not pay. We also urge the public to come forward and report any drug-related activities; rest assured, the identities of informants will be kept strictly confidential."
This crackdown reflects a broader effort by Uttarakhand police to not only arrest individuals involved in drug trafficking but also to systematically dismantle their economic foundations. By targeting high-value assets, authorities aim to deliver a strong deterrent message and significantly disrupt the narcotics trade in the district and beyond.
