Major Drug Bust in Patna: Police Seize Heroin Worth Rs 7.5 Crore, Arrest Cable Operator
In a significant crackdown on narcotics trafficking, Patna police conducted a raid at a house in Mustafapur village under the Khagaul police station area on Saturday night, resulting in the seizure of 4.846 kilograms of heroin and brown sugar. The confiscated contraband is estimated to have a staggering value of approximately Rs 7.5 crore in the international market, marking one of the largest drug hauls in the region recently.
Details of the Raid and Arrest
Acting on a credible tip-off, a special raiding team executed a search operation at the residence of the accused, Kallu Paswan. The raid was carried out in the presence of a magistrate to ensure legal compliance, during which the drugs were discovered concealed within plastic bags. The seizure comprised 2.026 kilograms of high-quality heroin and 2.820 kilograms of brown sugar, highlighting the scale of the illegal operation.
In addition to the narcotics, police recovered a digital weighing scale, Rs 2,400 in cash, and a cellphone from the scene. Kallu Paswan, who works as a local cable operator, was apprehended while attempting to flee during the operation. His arrest underscores the involvement of individuals from seemingly ordinary professions in sophisticated criminal networks.
Investigation Unravels Drug Trafficking Network
Investigations following the raid revealed that Kallu Paswan owned a lavish house and other assets that were disproportionate to his known sources of income, pointing to illicit earnings from drug trafficking. Police also seized documents related to a 15-kattha plot of land, eight bank accounts, and various land records, indicating the family's long-term engagement in this illegal trade.
Patna SSP Kartikeya K Sharma provided insights into the trafficking route, stating that the narcotics were smuggled from northeastern states and transported by train from Siliguri to Patna, with one or two consignments arriving every month. "Suppliers were paid Rs 1 lakh per consignment. Within the city, the drugs were distributed in areas such as Patna City, Ramakrishna Nagar, and Danapur," he explained, shedding light on the distribution network.
Kingpin and Absconding Son
The probe identified Kallu Paswan as the kingpin of the drug trafficking racket. His son, Bittu, who was scheduled to appear for his graduation examination on the day of the raid, has been absconding since his father's arrest. Police allege that Bittu managed around 10 commission-based suppliers responsible for delivering drugs across the city, demonstrating the organized nature of the syndicate.
Timely police action also disrupted a planned drug delivery near an examination centre, potentially preventing distribution during a critical period for students.
Legal Actions and Ongoing Investigations
Authorities have initiated proceedings to confiscate properties acquired through criminal activities under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. "Further investigations are underway to trace backward and forward linkages of the syndicate based on information provided by the accused," the SSP added, emphasizing efforts to dismantle the entire network.
This bust highlights the ongoing challenges in combating drug trafficking in urban areas and the importance of community tip-offs in enabling law enforcement to take decisive action.
