The Jharkhand Police in Khunti district have made significant strides in combating illegal opium and narcotics activities, resulting in the seizure of a substantial amount of contraband and the arrest of a wanted smuggler with a firearm within the last 24 hours. Operations carried out across various police station areas led to the confiscation of 231 kg of poppy straw, close to two kg of opium, and a locally-made pistol. Cases have been filed under the NDPS Act and the Arms Act.
During the initial operation, Murhu police discovered 231 kg of poppy straw, a key ingredient in opium production, from an abandoned vehicle. While on patrol duty early in the morning, the police intercepted the vehicle near village Ghaghra on the Gunloya-Saridkel road. Upon noticing the police team, the smugglers fled into the darkness, leaving behind the vehicle containing thirteen sacks of poppy straw. An FIR has been lodged under the NDPS Act at Murhu police station, and efforts are underway to locate the absconding smugglers.
The crackdown was spearheaded by SDPO Varun Rajak and Murhu police station in-charge Nayal Godwin Kerketta. In a separate operation at Anigada Chowk on the Khunti-Chaibasa main road, Superintendent of Police Rishabh Garg reported that, during routine vehicle inspections based on specific intelligence, the police tried to stop a motorcyclist who attempted to escape upon seeing the team. The rider managed to flee through farmlands, leaving behind his motorcycle and a bag.
Upon searching the bag, the police discovered 1.995 kg of opium, valued at approximately Rs 10 lakh in the international market. Additionally, in another incident, the police apprehended Ram Munda, a wanted suspect in previous opium smuggling cases, near Bhandra Chowk. A locally-made pistol was seized from his possession. Acting on a tip-off that the Aloudi village resident was in the Bhandra area with a firearm, a team led by SDPO Varun Rajak set a trap and successfully arrested him. A case has been registered under the Arms Act, and the accused has been remanded to custody.
