E-Paper
Drug networks busted: Seven arrested, 521kg narcotics worth over ₹3.6 cr seized
Statewide crackdown across Meerut, Bareilly, Aligarh and Agra exposes interstate supply chains linked to Odisha and Jharkhand
In a sweeping anti-narcotics drive, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) arrested seven drug traffickers and seized more than 521 kg of illegal narcotics in four major operations over Wednesday and Thursday. The combined value of the recovered contraband is estimated at over ₹3.6 crore.
The four coordinated operations highlight active interstate narcotics routes linking Odisha and Jharkhand to western Uttar Pradesh and further north.
With seizures totaling over 521 kg of narcotics and seven arrests in just two days, the ANTF’s intensified campaign marks one of the most significant crackdowns on organised drug trafficking in the state this year. The operations were carried out under the direction of senior state police leadership, with coordinated action by ANTF units in Saharanpur, Bareilly, Agra, and Aligarh.
On Wednesday, ANTF police station Saharanpur arrested three traffickers near Mau Khas Police outpost under the Mundali police station in Meerut district. The accused were identified as Vijendra, Khunnilal, Mansingh, all residents of Dhanaiti Khargpur, Aliganj, Bareilly
Police recovered 3.140 kg of illegal opium valued at approximately ₹16 lakh, along with a Hero Splendor motorcycle, three mobile phones, and ₹900.
In another operation on Thursday, the ANTF Bareilly unit arrested Virendra, a resident of Barser village under Sirauli police station, Bareilly. He was apprehended near Ramganga railway station under Subhash Nagar police station limits. Police seized 4 kg of illegal opium worth around ₹20 lakh, one mobile phone, and ₹3,400.
In the largest seizure, a joint operation by ANTF’s Operational Unit Agra and Aligarh police led to the arrest of Pushpendra, son of Bachchu Singh, a resident of Sikurra village under Iglas police station, Aligarh. Police recovered 490.745 kg of illegal ganja valued at approximately ₹2.5 crore. Authorities also seized a Swaraj tractor, a car, three motorcycles, and a mobile phone.
During questioning, the accused revealed that he and his associates had been sourcing ganja from Odisha at low prices and distributing it at higher rates using the seized vehicles.
In a separate action on Thursday, ANTF unit Agra arrested two traffickers near It Mandi, Tedi Bagiya on Hathras Road under Trans Yamuna police station limits in Agra.
The arrested accused were Manoj Kumar and Zakir, residents of Aligarh. Police recovered 24 kg of illegal ganja valued at approximately ₹12 lakh, two Android mobile phones, and ₹600.
