In a dramatic chase lasting nearly two hours, a joint team of the Special Operations Group (SOG), Robertsganj police, and Chopan police arrested a drug smuggler from Punjab after he suffered a bullet injury to his leg. The incident occurred around 4:30 am on Monday in Sonbhadra district. The smuggler had thrown bunches of currency notes from his car in an attempt to divert the pursuing cops, but his plan failed. His accomplice managed to escape.
Details of the Operation
Sonbhadra Superintendent of Police Abhishek Verma provided details of the operation. He stated that based on intelligence about the movement of drug smugglers, a joint team was formed around 2:30 am from Chopan, Robertsganj police stations, and the SOG. The team cordoned off the Viranjua area under Rampur Barkonia police station limits and successfully located the smugglers' car.
Smugglers Try to Distract Police
Upon seeing the police, the smugglers began throwing large amounts of currency notes in denominations of Rs 100. They hoped that the policemen would stop to collect the money instead of continuing the chase. However, the SOG cops pressed on and got very close to the smugglers' vehicle. In response, the smugglers rammed the police vehicle multiple times, damaging it.
Local Resident Provides Assistance
SP Verma explained that when the police vehicle was damaged in the Salkhan area, a local resident named Pradeep Kumar Modanwal immediately offered his personal car to the SOG team. This allowed the police to resume the chase. The smugglers also rammed Modanwal's car in an attempt to escape. By then, officers from Chopan and Robertsganj police stations had arrived and surrounded the smugglers' vehicle.
Exchange of Fire and Arrest
The smugglers jumped out of their car and opened fire on the police team. In retaliatory action, one of the smugglers, identified as Prince, aged 27, from Ludhiana, Punjab, suffered a bullet injury to his leg and was apprehended. His accomplices managed to flee, taking advantage of the darkness and hilly terrain. A combing operation was launched to search for them.
Seizure and Value of Contraband
The police recovered 3 kilograms of opium, 225 kilograms of doda (raw opium), cash worth Rs 50,000, a luxury car, one country-made pistol, and cartridges. The total value of the seized items was estimated at Rs 58.75 lakhs. The injured smuggler was rushed to a hospital.
Interrogation Reveals Gang's Modus Operandi
During initial interrogation, Prince disclosed that his gang had purchased the narcotics from Daltonganj in Jharkhand and intended to take them to Ludhiana for peddling. He confessed that he and his gang members had used this route to transport drug consignments two to three times in recent months.
Rewards and Further Investigation
SP Verma awarded a cash reward of Rs 10,000 to Modanwal for his timely help, and the SOG team received a cash reward of Rs 20,000. Officials are in contact with police in other UP districts, Punjab, and other states to determine if Prince and his gang members have any criminal history.
