The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) on Sunday arrested a drug trafficker from Jalore who had successfully evaded police for more than three years by completely avoiding mobile phones and operating through a shadow network centered around a motor garage in Sanchore.
Arrest of Manoharlal Vishnoi
IG (ANTF) Vikas Kumar identified the accused as Manoharlal Vishnoi, a resident of Liyadra village in Jalore district. Vishnoi carried a cumulative reward of Rs 30,000 on his head from police in Jalore and Nagaur districts. Officials stated that Vishnoi was among the early traffickers to bring MD drugs into Rajasthan from Gujarat, earning commissions through distribution networks. He had previously been booked in narcotics trafficking and vehicle theft cases and had served jail terms for drug-related offences.
Modus Operandi
Police revealed that Vishnoi managed to remain off the radar of law enforcement agencies by completely avoiding the use of mobile phones. Instead, he relied on a network of trusted associates and used a motor garage in Sanchore as a rendezvous point and command centre while frequently moving between hideouts. This method allowed him to evade capture for over three years.
Breakthrough and Arrest
The breakthrough came when the ANTF received a tip-off that Vishnoi was scheduled to visit the garage for a meeting related to modifications of vehicles used to smuggle drugs. Acting on this intelligence, ANTF teams laid a trap and apprehended him upon his arrival at the garage.
Background of the Accused
Kumar said Vishnoi dropped out of school after Class VI and began working in the automobile repair business before establishing his own garage in Sanchore. He later became involved in stolen vehicle rackets and subsequently entered the narcotics trade. Officials also noted that Vishnoi is wanted in a case being investigated by the Rajasthan Police's Special Operations Group (SOG) in connection with the Sub-Inspector recruitment examination scam.
Impact of Arrest
Police believe that Vishnoi's arrest is expected to provide fresh leads into drug smuggling routes and trafficking networks operating in western Rajasthan. The investigation is ongoing to dismantle the broader network involved in the illicit drug trade.
