Uttarakhand STF Busts Major Drug Racket Involving Minor in Rudrapur
In a significant crackdown on narcotics trafficking, the Uttarakhand Special Task Force (STF) and Gadarpur police jointly busted a sophisticated drug racket in Rudrapur on Saturday evening. The operation led to the arrest of a history-sheeter couple who allegedly exploited their 17-year-old son to deliver heroin, highlighting a disturbing trend of criminal networks involving minors in illegal activities.
Operation Details and Heroin Recovery
Acting on a credible tip-off, the STF's anti-narcotics task force, specifically the Kumaon unit, collaborated with local Gadarpur police to intercept the delivery. During the raid, authorities recovered a substantial 112.3 grams of heroin from the minor's possession, with an estimated street value of approximately Rs 33 lakh. The contraband was seized as part of a meticulous investigation aimed at dismantling drug supply chains in the region.
The minor has been taken into protective custody, and legal proceedings are currently underway, according to SSP Manikant Mishra. This move underscores the authorities' commitment to safeguarding vulnerable youth while pursuing justice against those who exploit them.
Couple's Criminal Background and Modus Operandi
During interrogation, the teenage boy revealed that his parents, identified as Shakir Ali (locally known as Nakta) and his wife Shaaeen, had handed him the heroin. The couple allegedly provided their scooter and instructed him to deliver the drugs to a waiting individual near a culvert in the Gadarpur area. This brazen use of a minor as a courier points to a calculated strategy to evade law enforcement scrutiny.
Police records indicate that Shakir Ali has nine criminal cases registered against him, while his wife Shaaeen is named in six cases, reflecting their extensive involvement in illicit activities. The authorities have registered a case against the couple under Section 95 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which specifically addresses engaging a child to commit an offence, along with relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Legal Implications and Law Enforcement Response
Using a minor for drug trafficking is a serious offence that warrants stringent action, stated Circle Officer Parvez Ali. He emphasized that the new BNS provisions empower law enforcement with stronger tools to target and dismantle such criminal networks, ensuring that perpetrators face severe consequences for exploiting children.
STF Inspector (Anti-Narcotics) Pawan Swaroop added that this operation sends a clear and unequivocal message to traffickers: they cannot escape the law by manipulating minors. The crackdown is part of broader efforts by Uttarakhand police to combat drug abuse and trafficking, particularly in areas like Rudrapur where such activities have been reported.
This incident raises critical concerns about child protection and the need for community vigilance to prevent minors from being drawn into criminal enterprises. Authorities are urging the public to report any suspicious activities to help curb the drug menace and safeguard youth from exploitation.
