Shimla Police Crack Down on Interstate LSD Drug Ring with Gurugram Arrest
In a significant breakthrough, the Shimla police have apprehended 27-year-old Naviel Harrison, a native of Calicut, Kerala, from Gurugram, for his alleged involvement in supplying Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD). This arrest stems from an ongoing investigation triggered by the capture of two individuals in Shimla on March 10, who were found in possession of a substantial cache of 562 LSD strips, weighing 11.57 grams and valued at over Rs 1.1 crore.
Investigation Uncovers Key Supplier in Major Drug Bust
According to Shimla Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Abhishek, the probe into the previously arrested accused revealed Harrison's critical role in the drug network. An FIR has been registered at the New Shimla police station under Sections 22 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, highlighting the severity of the charges. LSD, a semisynthetic hallucinogenic drug known for its potent psychedelic effects, is increasingly targeted in law enforcement operations due to its recreational abuse.
Details of the March 10 Raid and Drug Seizure
The initial raid on March 10 at Him Niwas, BCS Shimla, led to the seizure of LSD from Sandeep Sharma, 40, of Moga, Punjab, and Priya Sharma, 26, of Dadahu, Sirmaur. ASP Abhishek confirmed that Harrison and Sandeep had been communicating extensively via WhatsApp over a prolonged period. Their arrangement involved Harrison supplying LSD while Sandeep provided cannabis in exchange, illustrating a complex barter system within the drug trade.
Broader Crackdown on Drug Trafficking in Shimla
This arrest is part of a larger effort by Shimla police to combat narcotics. So far this year, authorities have registered 77 cases under the NDPS Act, resulting in the arrest of 144 individuals. Notably, 14 of these arrests were made in other states, including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and near the India-Nepal border, as part of backward-linkage operations aimed at dismantling supply chains. Additionally, over the last 48 days, 30 people have been jailed under PIT NDPS operations, underscoring the intensified focus on curbing drug-related activities in the region.
