Ballia Drug Bust: 45kg Cannabis Worth Rs 22 Lakh Seized; 2 Bihar Smugglers Nabbed
Two smugglers from Bihar were arrested in Ballia after police seized 45kg of cannabis worth Rs 22 lakh from a Maruti Brezza.
In a major crackdown on interstate narcotics trafficking, a joint operation by the Sikanderpur police and the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of Ghazipur has led to a massive cannabis seizure in Ballia. Authorities intercepted a smuggling attempt on October 15, recovering 45 kilograms of illegal cannabis with an estimated international market value of Rs 22 lakh.
The Sting Operation at Nagra Mor
The operation was triggered by a precise tip-off from a confidential informant. The intelligence suggested that smugglers were transporting a large consignment of contraband from Ballia, passing through Sikanderpur, with the ultimate destination being Bihar via Deoria.
Acting swiftly on this lead, a specialized team led by the Station House Officer (SHO) of Sikanderpur and Surendra Nath Singh, the In-charge of the Ghazipur ANTF, established a strict vehicle inspection checkpoint at Nagra Mor. The police began screening vehicles, keeping a sharp eye out for suspicious activity.
High-Speed Chase and Arrest
The tension peaked when a white Maruti Brezza, bearing a registration number from Jharkhand, approached the checkpoint. As the police signaled the vehicle to pull over, the driver attempted a desperate escape. However, the alert police force managed to intercept the car and bring it to a halt.
Upon searching the vehicle, officers discovered 45kg of cannabis hidden inside. The police seized both the contraband and the vehicle used for the transport.
Who are the Accused?
The two individuals arrested during the raid have been identified as residents of Buxar, Bihar:
- Vikas Kumar Yadav: A resident of Chandarpura, under the jurisdiction of Brahmpur Police Station.
- Shubham Sinha: Also known as Amit Sinha or Chotu, a resident of Veer Kunwar Singh Colony, under the Town Police Station.
Criminal Backgrounds Revealed
Further investigation revealed that neither of the suspects was new to the world of crime. Both men carry prior criminal records:
Vikas Yadav is reportedly linked to previous cases of excise fraud. Meanwhile, Shubham Sinha's record is more extensive, with charges involving fraud, the forgery of official documents, and various violations of the Excise Act.
Legal Action and Ongoing Investigation
The Sikanderpur police have officially registered a case against the duo under sections 8/20/29/60 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Following the necessary legal procedures, both accused were presented in court and have been remanded to judicial custody.
The investigation is now shifting gears as police work to dismantle the wider network. Authorities are currently tracing the suppliers who provided the consignment to determine the scale of the operation and identify other collaborators in the interstate drug trade.