Chaibasa: In a major anti-narcotics operation, police in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district have uncovered an opium smuggling racket and arrested three alleged smugglers from Rogod Village under the Tebo police station limits.
During the raid, police recovered around 20 kg of illegal opium poppy husk, two motorcycles believed to have been used in the smuggling operation, and cash worth Rs 7 lakh.
Tebo police station in-charge Sushil Kumar Marandi said the district police had received confidential information about a planned opium deal in a forest area near Rogod Village. After verifying the input, a special team was formed to conduct the operation.
Police laid a trap in the forest and moved into action as soon as the accused arrived at the spot to carry out the transaction. On seeing the police, the smugglers allegedly tried to flee, leaving behind their motorcycles, but were chased down and arrested by the raiding team.
The arrested accused have been identified as Buddhanath Purti, Soma Hassa Purti and Mangra Huni Purti. While the first two are residents of Rogod Village, Mangra Huni Purti belongs to Kotgarh Village.
Police have registered a case under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and sent all three accused to judicial custody after completing legal procedures.
Officials said the forested terrain in the Tebo area is often misused for illegal opium cultivation and trafficking activities. Police are now gathering intelligence to identify others linked to the racket and trace its interstate network.
With inputs from IANS