In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, Chatra police arrested three interstate drug peddlers and seized contraband worth over Rs 1 crore in two separate operations on Monday, officials said.
First Operation: Opium and Doda Seizure
Chatra Superintendent of Police Animesh Naithany stated that acting on specific intelligence, special teams were formed under the supervision of Simaria Sub-Divisional Police Officer Nagar Goje Shubham Bhau Saheb. Two motorcycle-borne accused were intercepted at Bajrahi ground on the Bagra-Chatra road. They were identified as Jeevlal Ganjhu, a resident of Lutidih village, and Mohammad Faizan Malik, from Ichak Kala village under Simaria police station. Police recovered 7.19 kg of opium from their possession.
A subsequent search at Jeevlal's residence led to the seizure of an additional 78.4 kg of doda, a semi-processed form of opium. The total value of the narcotics recovered in this operation is estimated at around Rs 47 lakh.
Modus Operandi and Ongoing Investigation
According to the SP, Jeevlal used to procure opium and doda and supply them to states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar through his associate, Mohammad Faizan Malik. Both accused have been arrested, and raids are underway to apprehend other absconding individuals involved in the network.
Second Operation: Large Haul from Forest Area
In a separate incident, police intercepted a pick-up vehicle in the Ichahar forest area under Lawalong police station limits. The vehicle was reportedly transporting doda, and four miscreants attempted to flee upon seeing the police. One accused, Kailash Ganjhu of Ichahar village, was arrested, while the remaining three escaped.
Based on the revelations made by the arrested accused, police conducted searches at three locations in the forest area and confiscated a total of 361 kg of doda, 23.8 kg of a doda-poppy seeds mixture, and 25.2 kg of poppy seeds. A case under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act has been registered at Lawalong police station, the SP added.
