Fugitive Arrested in 90kg Poppy Straw Smuggling Case
After a seven-month manhunt, police have arrested Naneet Phogat in connection with a massive 90kg poppy straw smuggling case.
A massive seven-month manhunt has finally come to an end following the arrest of a high-profile fugitive wanted in connection with a major narcotics smuggling operation. The suspect, identified as 25-year-old Naneet Phogat, was apprehended in his home district of Charkhi Dadri, Haryana, after being on the run since a high-speed police chase earlier this year.
The High-Speed Chase and Massive Seizure
The investigation traces back to a dramatic incident on March 12, 2026. During a routine police blockade, a vehicle attempting to bypass the checkpoint refused to stop and led officers on a pursuit. The suspects eventually abandoned the car near Chhiparda to evade capture.
Upon inspecting the deserted vehicle, law enforcement officials made a staggering discovery. The car was loaded with 90 kilograms and 12 grams of poppy straw. This significant seizure triggered an immediate investigation under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, with a case being formally registered at the Digod police station.
Seven-Month Manhunt Ends in Haryana
Following the discovery, Superintendent of Police Sujit Shankar ordered a dedicated crackdown to track down those involved. A specialized police team was deployed to hunt for Phogat, a resident of Khatiwas, utilizing a combination of:
- Technical surveillance: Tracking digital footprints and mobile movements.
- Informant networks: Leveraging local intelligence to pin down the suspect's location.
- Specialized drives: Targeted operations focusing on habitual offenders and wanted criminals.
The persistence of the team paid off on October 2, when they successfully cornered and arrested Phogat in Khatiwas, Haryana. The operation was carried out under the direct supervision of Additional Superintendent of Police Ramkalyan Meena and Deputy Superintendent of Police Omprakash.
Ongoing Investigation and Police Team
The arrest marks a significant breakthrough in the narcotics case, but the work is far from over. Phogat is currently undergoing intense interrogation as police attempt to uncover the wider network behind the smuggling attempt and identify other accomplices involved in the distribution of the poppy straw.
The successful apprehension was executed by a dedicated team including Station House Officer Uttam Singh, Head Constable Dinesh, Constable Suryaprakash, and Intelligence Officer Constable Rajendra.