Major Drug Bust in Bihar: STF, ANTF, and Police Nab Five Smugglers, Seize Heroin Worth Rs 68 Lakh
In a significant operation targeting interstate drug trafficking, a joint team comprising the Bihar Special Task Force (STF), Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), and local police conducted coordinated raids on Tuesday, leading to the arrest of five individuals linked to a widespread smuggling network. The crackdown, which unfolded in Patna and Darbhanga districts, resulted in the seizure of a substantial quantity of heroin and other assets, highlighting the authorities' intensified efforts to combat narcotics trade in the region.
Patna Arrests: Brothers Apprehended with Heroin and Valuables
Acting on actionable intelligence, the joint team swooped into the Shahpur police station area of Patna City, where they apprehended two key members of the smuggling gang. The arrested individuals were identified as Manish Kumar Singh and his brother Kanhaiya Kumar, both residents of the Mohaddinagar police station area in Samastipur district. During the raid, authorities recovered:
- 117 grams of heroin, with an estimated international market value of approximately Rs 23 lakh.
- Three mobile phones, suspected to be used for communication within the network.
- A sports utility vehicle (SUV), believed to be employed for transporting contraband.
- Four gold rings, indicating potential proceeds from illicit activities.
A formal case has been registered at the Shahpur police station, and investigations are ongoing to uncover further details about the gang's operations and connections.
Darbhanga Raid: Three Smugglers Nabbed, Heroin Supply Chain Exposed
In a parallel operation earlier the same day, the Bihar STF, in collaboration with Darbhanga police, raided a hideout located in the Sadar police station area of Darbhanga district. This led to the arrest of three additional smugglers: Kundan Kumar, Deepu Kumar, and Ratnesh Kumar, all hailing from the Phenhara police station area in East Champaran district. From their possession, police confiscated:
- 228 grams of heroin, valued at around Rs 45 lakh in the international market.
- Rs 1,400 in cash, possibly linked to smaller transactions.
- Four mobile phones, used for coordinating smuggling activities.
A case has been filed at the Sadar Police Station in Darbhanga, with interrogations revealing critical insights into the gang's supply chain. The three arrested individuals disclosed that they procured the heroin from a supplier based in Silchar, Assam, and were actively smuggling it into Bihar. This information underscores the interstate nature of the network, which is reportedly active across Bihar, Assam, and adjacent states, facilitating the flow of narcotics.
Criminal Histories and Ongoing Investigations
According to STF officers, some of the arrested individuals have prior criminal records related to drug offenses. Ratnesh Kumar and Manish Kumar Singh have previously been convicted under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and have served jail terms, indicating their involvement in long-term illicit activities. Additionally, Deepu Kumar has also been imprisoned in the past, further emphasizing the gang's entrenched presence in the drug trade.
The arrests in Patna were made possible following information provided by the three smugglers nabbed in Darbhanga, demonstrating effective coordination between law enforcement agencies. Authorities are now focusing on dismantling the entire network, tracing the source of the heroin in Assam, and identifying other accomplices involved in this sprawling interstate operation. The combined seizure of 345 grams of heroin, with a total value of Rs 68 lakh, marks a significant blow to drug trafficking in the region, as police continue their vigilant efforts to curb such criminal enterprises.
