Indore: In a major breakthrough, the crime branch arrested five interstate drug traffickers following a dramatic chase on Super Corridor late Monday night. Officials seized 1 kg of mephedrone (MD) valued at nearly Rs 1 crore in the international market, along with an illegal firearm and the vehicles used by the accused.
Tip-off leads to trap
Additional Commissioner of Police RK Singh stated that the police received a tip-off about a large consignment of synthetic drugs being brought into the city. The traffickers were reportedly traveling in a black SUV and on two motorcycles. Acting on the information, the police laid a trap near Veer Tejaji temple on Tigaria Badshah Kakad road on Super Corridor.
High-speed chase and arrest
As soon as the accused spotted the police, they attempted to flee. The police teams chased the SUV, which was being driven at high speed, along with the motorcycles. The SUV driver lost control and rammed the vehicle into a divider, damaging its front portion. This sudden incident distracted the bikers, allowing the police to overpower all of them.
During the search of the SUV dashboard, officers discovered 1 kg of MD, a country-made pistol, and a live cartridge. The SUV and two motorcycles were also seized. The total value of the seized material is estimated at around Rs 1.21 crore.
Accused identified
The arrested individuals were identified as Naveen Solanki (25), a resident of Jhalawar in Rajasthan, described as the prime accused; Govind Verma (29), currently residing in Silicon City in Indore and originally from Dewas; Shankar Singh (33) from Jhalawar; Vikram Singh (31) from Ujjain; and Narendra Singh (26) also from Ujjain.
Background of the accused
Investigators revealed that Solanki and Verma worked in salons and also operated bike taxi services, while the others were involved in farming activities. Police suspect the group had been supplying narcotics for some time to earn illegal profits.
The crime branch has registered a case under relevant sections of the NDPS Act and the Arms Act.
