Opium Worth Rs 20 Lakh Seized in East Champaran; 3 Arrested
Police and SSB bust a drug racket in East Champaran, arresting three suspects and seizing opium smuggled from Nepal.
In a major blow to narcotics smuggling, a joint operation by the local police and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has led to a significant opium seizure in East Champaran. The authorities successfully dismantled a drug trafficking racket, recovering opium with an estimated international market value of Rs 20 lakh.
The Intelligence Lead
The operation was set in motion on November 8, 2026, after the 71st Battalion of the SSB, stationed at Mahuawa under the Chhauradano police station, received critical intelligence. The tip-off indicated that smugglers were attempting to transport a substantial quantity of narcotics across the border from Nepal into India.
Acting swiftly on this information, a special team was constituted under the leadership of Raxaul Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Manish Anand to verify the leads and intercept the traffickers.
The Sting Operation
The coordinated team of police and SSB personnel launched an intensive vehicle inspection drive near Dharahari. During the search, officers intercepted an e-rickshaw, which turned out to be the vehicle used for the smuggling operation. Upon searching the vehicle, the team recovered 2.050 kilograms of opium.
Three suspects were apprehended on the spot. The arrested individuals have been identified as:
- Firoz Ahmed, a resident of Masihi (Chhauradano).
- Vipin Kumar, a resident of Jitpur.
- Dilip Kumar, hailing from Simraungarh Pakadiya in the Bara District of Nepal.
Seizures and Legal Action
Apart from the narcotics, the police seized three mobile phones and the e-rickshaw used to transport the drugs. A First Information Report (FIR) has been officially registered at the Chhauradano police station.
The suspects are currently undergoing interrogation as investigators seek to uncover the wider network and identify other links involved in this cross-border trafficking ring.
The Team Behind the Bust
The successful operation was carried out by a dedicated team including Raxaul DSP Manish Anand, Chhauradano Station House Officer (SHO) Rajiv Kumar, Sub-Inspector Ranju Kumari, and Kulbir Singh from the 71st Battalion. They were supported by Suresh Kumar Nirala, the reserve guard, and additional personnel from the SSB.