Jaipur: Bikaner police have arrested two men from Jaipur in connection with an international heroin racket valued at Rs 70 crore. The racket came to light after a road accident in Bikaner on April 22.
Arrests and Accused
The accused, Rahul Rawat and Prashant Kayal, both employed as caterers in Jaipur, were allegedly working as drug delivery agents for Rakesh Prajapat, the main accused who is currently absconding. Police revealed their roles during the investigation.
Origin of the Case
The case dates back to April 22, when a 32-year-old man was injured after colliding with a nilgai on Pugal Road in Bikaner. During a subsequent search, police recovered 14 kg of heroin concealed inside his scooter. The injured rider was identified as Khetaram Meghwal.
Meghwal's Condition
Meghwal remains admitted at PBM Hospital, and his statement is pending as he has not regained full consciousness. Sources said that during brief spells of awareness, he repeatedly utters his girlfriend's name and phone number before slipping back into unconsciousness.
Investigation and Network
Investigators are questioning Rawat and Kayal to uncover details of the racket's wider network, which extends beyond Rajasthan. Police said their interrogation has pointed to a network relying on covert cross-border methods. Investigators suspect that heroin consignments are dropped via drone by Pakistani operatives from across the international border in Khajuwala, with Meghwal responsible for onward transportation.
Police stated that the smugglers used a scooter registered in the name of a Bikaner resident to avoid suspicion while transporting the contraband. Authorities are now tracing others who may have provided logistical support.
Main Accused's Background
Preliminary findings indicate that Prajapat had tasked his operatives with picking up heroin consignments from the Khajuwala border and transporting them to Punjab. Police said he had earlier been lodged in a Punjab jail, where he established links with operatives tied to Pakistan-based smuggling networks, before resuming drug-running operations after his release. Police records show Prajapat faces seven cases in Rajasthan and Punjab related to dacoity.
Ongoing Probe
Investigators suspect the network's footprint may extend to Delhi and Bengaluru. The probe into the Rs 70-crore seizure remains ongoing, with several suspects currently under detention.
