The Ranchi police have successfully dismantled a significant inter-state illegal arms trafficking network with connections to Bihar by apprehending three crucial operatives. Investigations unveiled that the gang procured arms from Bihar and distributed them across various regions in Jharkhand. The arrested individuals, identified as Vishal Singh from Mandar, and Abhishek Sharma and Karan Gop from Chanho in Ranchi, played key roles in this illicit operation.
Superintendent of Police, Rural, Praveen Pushkar, disclosed that a breakthrough occurred during a routine vehicle check under the McCluskieganj police station limits on the night of April 13. A suspicious vehicle was intercepted, leading to the discovery of pistols and cartridges in possession of two individuals inside the vehicle. Upon interrogation, it was revealed that Vishal Singh from Karge village in Mandar was the source of these weapons, prompting his subsequent arrest.
Further investigations exposed that Vishal Singh had transformed his residence into a storage facility for illegal arms. SP Pushkar also mentioned that Sharma, the intermediary who sourced weapons from Bihar and sold them at inflated prices locally, had a history of Arms Act violations. A subsequent operation in the Hatma forest area in Mandar resulted in the arrest of Sharma and his associate Gop, effectively dismantling the core of the network.
During this operation, the police confiscated three country-made pistols, 10 live cartridges, four magazines, and two mobile phones from the accused individuals. The gang, initially operating on a small scale, gradually expanded its network across multiple regions in the state. Based on information provided by the arrested individuals, authorities have identified other suspects associated with the racket. Raids are ongoing at suspected hideouts, with expectations of further arrests as the investigation progresses.
