IN a major crackdown on illegal drug trade, Korba Police arrested eight persons and seized a huge consignment of banned narcotics, exposing an inter-state network operating between Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh. Superintendent of Police Siddharth Tiwari, addressing a press conference, said that the action was taken under Section 21(b) of the NDPS Act. Acting on intelligence inputs from the Cyber Cell Korba and CSEB Outpost, a joint team conducted swift operations leading to the arrests. On of IPS officer Vimal Pathak, where six accused were apprehended with banned substances.

 

Those arrested were identified as Sangeet Kumar Patel (31), Gopal Yadav alias Malinga (31), Suresh Kumar Yadav (26), Saif Khan alias Chand (31), Abhishek Kumar Ratre (21), and Amit Kumar Bhardwaj alias Dadu (23). During interrogation, the prime accused Sangeet Patel disclosed the involvement of others based in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Meanwhile, a Korba police team was already in Prayagraj on another case.

 

Acting on directions from senior officials, the team moved to Varanasi, where two more accused, Ajay Kumar Kanaujia (32) and Shantanu Jaiswal, were arrested. In Korba, police seized 4,917 pieces of narcotic substances valued at around Rs 83,000, cash Rs 2,300, and a motorcycle. In Varanasi, 14,048 narcotics worth approximately Rs 89,390 were recovered along with a motorcycle and two mobile phones. In total, 18,965 pieces of narcotic substances were seized, with an estimated market value of Rs 4,74,125. SP Siddharth Tiwari said the operation reflects