In a crackdown on narcotics trafficking in Bihar’s Katihar, police at the Phalka police station apprehended two suspected drug smugglers and confiscated 102.79 gm of heroin during a routine vehicle check. One of the detainees, Sunil Kumar, claimed to be the son of former Bihar Minister and ex-MP Ramji Das Rishi. Sunil Kumar, currently working as a Rozgar Sevak in Forbesganj, was arrested along with Khushilal Mandal, a resident of Purnea district with a history of involvement in drug smuggling cases.
A vehicle inspection operation was underway on the Nisundra-Gedabari road, supervised by Phalka Station House Officer (SHO) Prahlad Yadav, Sub-Inspector Amar Deep Singh, and the Block Development Officer. The police team attempted to stop a yellow motorcycle without a visible registration number around 7:50 a.m. The rider tried to escape upon seeing the officers, leading to the apprehension of both occupants.
During a search, authorities discovered 102.79 gm of heroin in a bag allegedly belonging to Sunil Kumar. Additionally, two mobile phones and the motorcycle used by the suspects were seized. The arrested individuals were identified as Sunil Kumar from Gokhlapur in Araria district and Khushilal Mandal from Bhawanipur in Purnea district. The seized drugs are valued at several lakhs of rupees in the illicit market.
An FIR has been filed under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Investigators are now focused on tracing the origin of the heroin consignment, its intended destination, and potential links to a larger drug trafficking network. SHO Prahlad Yadav affirmed the district police’s commitment to combating drug trafficking and associated criminal activities, mentioning that both suspects are in judicial custody pending further investigation.
