Narco module in Ramban; Rs 4.95 Cr cash, 30 Kg Cocaine, 38 fake vehicle number plates, mobile phones, fake passports recovered
STATE TIMES NEWS
Jammu: Police have busted a major inter-state drug racket, leading to the arrest of eight people and seizure of nearly Rs 5 crore in cash and illegal substances, Director General of Police Dilbag Singh said on Thursday.
Addressing a press conference here on the operation ‘Sanjeevani’ initiated on September 30 with the aim of combating the drug menace, Singh also said Pakistan is the epicentre of narco-terrorism and that J-K is the collection point while Punjab is the receiving point.
“Eight smugglers including four from J&K and four from Punjab have been arrested so far. The investigation is going on. We are likely to involve other investigation agencies in the operation,” Singh said.
He said that Pakistan is using drones as a modus operandi to ferry narcotics material in J-K, particularly in Jammu region’s Rajouri district and areas along International Border but smuggling is taking place physically in Kupwara and other areas.
Under the operation ‘Sanjeevani’, Ramban police intercepted a significant consignment of a substance resembling cocaine, with an estimated street value of Rs 300 crore, he said.
“The seizure occurred from two Punjab-based peddlers who were transporting the illicit cargo in an Innova car bearing a fake registration plate in Ramban. A case was registered,” he said.
Following the initial seizure, a special investigation team was formed to trace both backward and forward linkages, Singh said.
In a meticulous process, technical intelligence was gathered and a truck carrying a portion of the consignment was apprehended, he said, adding that the truck driver, responsible for delivering the contraband, was arrested.
During interrogation, the driver revealed crucial information that resulted in the arrest of another peddler from Kupwara, the DGP said adding this chain of detentions eventually led to the recovery of an additional four kilos 198 grams of a cocaine-like substance and Rs 43.17 lakh in cash.
Simultaneously, efforts were underway to trace the forward linkage of the cartel, he said. A collaborative effort with IB team, Jammu, and assistance from the Punjab Police culminated in the apprehension of a major drug magnate, Manjeet Singh, hailing from Ludhiana, Punjab, he said.
The subsequent search revealed an astonishing array of fraudulent documents, sophisticated equipment, and an extensive cache of assets, including a revolver of German make, he said.
He said that a significant amount of cash, gold, silver, and electronic devices were confiscated, underscoring the extensive network and resources at the disposal of the apprehended kingpin.
This operation marks a significant milestone in the ongoing battle against drug trafficking, reaffirming the commitment of law enforcement agencies to curb the menace of narcotic smuggling in the region, the DGP said.
As per details, under Operation Sanjeevani, in an all out war against drugs, Ramban Police seized huge consignment of 30 KG cocaine like substance worth Rs. 300 crores from two Punjab based peddlers who were transporting the contraband in an Innova car bearing registration No HR02W-4925. In this regard, case FIR No 252/2023 u/s 8/21/22/27/29 NDPS Act was registered and special investigation team was constituted under the supervision of SSP Ramban, Mohita Sharma. Further, to ascertain backward and forward linkages, special teams were deputed by the SSP, both to Kashmir for backward linkage and to Punjab for ascertaining forward linkage.
Technical intelligence was gathered and after strenuous efforts truck bearing registration No JK04F-8057 was seized and driver arrested, who was responsible of delivering the consignment of 30 KG contraband in lieu of receiving Rs 45 Lakhs cash at Parimpora. Further, on sustained questioning, the accused driver disclosed name of another peddler who was arrested from District Kupwara. In order to nab the kingpin, continuous technical and human intelligence was simultaneously gathered which further led to arrest of 03 more peddlers belonging to District Kupwara, who confessed having receive the contraband from across the border. Their questioning further led to recovery of cocaine like substance weighing 4 kg 198 gram and cash worth Rs 43 lakh 17,000.
In simultaneous investigation, which was going on to ascertain the forward linkage, a special team was constituted in collaboration with IB Team Jammu, assisted by Punjab Police after obtaining permission from DIG DKR Dr. Sunil Gupta. Technical inputs, analysis of IPDR and CDR data alongwith gathering the trail of digital footprint on various networks, led to the arrest of major drug magnate belonging to District Ludhiana, Punjab and recoveries were made from him which included 14 cheque books – two fixed deposit receipts; 22 passbooks; 12 Aadhar cards; nine ATM cards; two pen drives; 38 fake number plates of vehicles; two fake badges of BJP and Punjab Police; one fake stickers of Punjab Government; one fake driving license; 14 R.Cs; one pan card; 8 mobile phones; one revolver (Made in Germany); four diaries; one fake passport; Passport- 06; one currency counting machine; three weighing scales; one rent deed; 44 grams gold; 385 grams silver; 600 grams cocaine like substance and currency amounting to Rs. 4,94,50,000.