Inter-state narco cartel busted, over 300 kg cannabis worth Rs 1 cr seized
Darpan News Desk IANS, 27 Apr, 2023 12:36 PM
New Delhi, April 27 (IANS) With the arrest of three men, the Delhi Police have busted an inter-state nacro traffickers' cartel with possible links with Naxals, an official said on Thursday.
The police have also recovered over 300 kilograms of cannabis worth more than Rs 1 crore from them.
The accused were identified as Pratap (45), a resident of Rampura in Delhi; Lakhan (23) and Pooran (22) - both residents of Okhla Mod.
According to police, specific inputs were received on Wednesday that three persons, who are involved in the drug peddling, will assemble near Naraina Flyover to supply drugs.
"Acting on the inputs, a police team immediately laid a trap near Naraina Flyover, Ring Road and all three were apprehended," said Akshat Kaushal, additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (West).
A total of 20 bundles were recovered from them. "On checking the bundles, the packets of cannabis were found concealed in it. A total of 301.15 kg of cannabis was recovered," said Kaushal.
During interrogation, it was revealed that the contraband substance was sourced from Muniguda in Odisha.
"Initial interrogation has revealed that the contraband substance was to be sold in Delhi and adjoining areas. The arrested individuals have revealed the names of their handlers, names of whom are being withheld at this stage," said the official.
"So far, we have not found any direct Naxal link. The material is sourced from Muniguda, the place which has traditionally been part of the red-corridor but we are probing the case with all angles," said the official.
"Further investigation is in progress and efforts are being made to nab the complete chain of suppliers," the official added.
Asserting that the SAD stood with the beleaguered peasantry, he announced the party would oppose collection of penalties imposed on the farmers, besides launching a sustained campaign in case the red entries in land records were not revoked.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Manpreet Singh and Bhupinder Singh -- both from Faridkot; and Baljit Singh of Muktsar Sahib. The DGP said the police had established the identity of two of the main shooters -- Manpreet and Bhupinder -- on the first day of the crime and a manhunt was launched in this regard.
Police said that they have arrested nine people, including an Assam Rifles Head Constable, of the gang. Meanwhile, a manhunt has been initiated to nab other accused which also includes a Delhi-based lawyer.
Keeping in view the declining cases of Covid-19 in the country, the government on Wednesday removed mandatory requirement to wear masks in flights. The Ministry of Civil Aviation said that the decision has been taken following a review meeting on the issue with the Ministry of Health.
A police spokesperson said the case properties of drug cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, in Amritsar and Fazilka were destroyed on Tuesday.
Addressing a gathering during at a state-level function to mark the martyrdom day of the Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha at his native village here, the Chief Minister said bestowing the Bharat Ratna award to Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, Shaheed Rajguru, Shaheed Sukhdev, Lala Lajpat Rai and others will enhance the prestige of this award.
