Patna, June 13 (IANS) In a major crackdown on narcotics smuggling in Bihar, the police and STF achieved a significant breakthrough in East Champaran district by seizing 10.540 kilograms of opium worth nearly Rs 2 crore from a car on NH‑27 under the Dumariyaghat police station area.

Four members of an interstate drug trafficking network were arrested during the operation.

The operation was launched following a confidential tip‑off received by the STF regarding the transportation of a large consignment of opium from Jharkhand to Bihar.

Acting swiftly, a joint team of the STF and Dumariyaghat police conducted intensive vehicle checking near the Narsingh Baba Temple on NH‑27.

During the checking drive, the team intercepted a white car and recovered 10.54 kg of opium hidden inside a specially designed secret compartment built into the vehicle to evade police detection.

The three accused travelling in the car were arrested immediately.

The arrested accused have been identified as Sajan Kumar Yadav (21), resident of Sikid in Chatra district, Jharkhand; Munna Kumar Yadav (24), resident of Singhwari Ward‑4 in Chatra district, Jharkhand; and Anuj Kumar Sao (27), resident of Hiri Bagicha, Mohanpur in Gaya district.

During interrogation, the accused disclosed the identity of the alleged supplier, following which the police arrested Jitendra Chaudhary, a resident of Saraiya Khas under Govindganj police station area in East Champaran.

Investigators said he was responsible for supplying the opium to the smugglers.

Police officials stated that the gang had allegedly been involved in trafficking narcotics from Jharkhand into Bihar for a long period.

A case has been registered against all four accused under various sections of the NDPS Act at Dumariyaghat police station.

The investigating officer said the operation was carried out on STF inputs and confirmed that the network’s links, supply chain and other associates were currently under investigation.

Police teams are trying to uncover the entire interstate racket.

East Champaran SP Swarn Prabhat congratulated the police and STF teams for the successful operation and reiterated the district administration’s commitment to eliminating the narcotics trade.

He said strict action against drug traffickers would continue in the future and that all necessary measures would be taken to dismantle such criminal networks completely.

–IANS

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