The Fact News Service
Chandigarh/Sri Mukstar Sahib, March 8
In a major intelligence-led operation amidst the ongoing anti-drug campaign ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Sri Muktsar Sahib Police has dismantled a drug network with the arrest of a drug smuggler and recovered 10.5 kg opium and Rs 35000 drug money from his possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Friday.
The arrested accused has been identified as Raju, a native of village Bhagwanpura and currently residing at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar in Malout. Apart from recovering opium and drug money, police teams have also impounded his TVS Apache Motorcycle bearing registration number PB 08 ES 4930.
DGP Gaurav Yadav said that further investigations are on to establish backward and forward linkages in this case.
Sharing operation details, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sri Muktsar Sahib Akhil Chaudhary said that acting upon pinpointed information, teams from CIA Malout under supervision of SP Investigation and DSP (D) promptly acted and nabbed accused Raju after recovering 3.5 kg of opium wrapped in a transparent packet along with Rs 35,000 drug money from his possession.
He said that during questioning, accused Raju confessed that he had concealed more opium at his house. Based on his statement, police teams conducted a search at his house, leading to the recovery of an additional 7 kg of opium, he said.
The SSP said that the arrested accused is a habitual drug smuggler and was also wanted by the Sri Muktsar Sahib Police in 54 kg poppy husk recovery case registered at Sadar Police in March 2024. Further investigation is ongoing, and further revelations are expected, he added.
A case FIR No. 15 dated 06.03.2025 has been registered under section 18(B) of the NDPS Act at Police Station Sadar Malout.
