The Special Task Force (STF) arrested two alleged drug traffickers and seized 600 grams of brown sugar valued at approximately Rs 60 lakh in the international market during an operation near the Itaunja toll plaza in Lucknow.
Details of the Operation
The accused, identified as Prakash Singh and Akashdeep Singh, both residents of Lakhimpur Kheri, were intercepted around 8:50 PM following a specific tip-off. STF teams laid a trap and successfully recovered the contraband, along with a motorcycle, two mobile phones, four ATM cards, an Aadhaar card, and Nepalese currency.
Background of the Investigation
The STF had been monitoring drug movement across Uttar Pradesh when intelligence inputs pointed to a consignment being transported through the Itaunja area. The duo was apprehended while attempting to enter Lucknow.
During preliminary interrogation, the accused allegedly disclosed that they sourced heroin from Nepal and supplied it to cities such as Mumbai and Pune, where the drugs commanded higher prices.
Broader Network Suspected
Investigators suspect that the pair are part of a larger interstate and cross-border narcotics network. Efforts are underway to trace both the suppliers and the receivers of the contraband.
Legal Proceedings
An FIR has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at the Itaunja police station, and further investigation is ongoing.
