Khunti (Jharkhand), May 14 (IANS) The Jharkhand Police achieved major success in a crackdown on illegal opium and narcotics trade in Khunti district, seizing a large quantity of contraband and arresting a wanted smuggler with a firearm over the past 24 hours, officials said on Thursday.

Separate operations conducted across different police station areas led to the recovery of 231 kg of poppy straw, nearly two kg of opium, and a country‑made pistol. Cases have been registered under the NDPS Act and the Arms Act.

In the first operation, Murhu police recovered 231 kg of poppy straw — used as raw material for opium — from an abandoned car.

Acting on patrol duty early Thursday morning, the police intercepted the vehicle near village Ghaghra on the Gunloya-Saridkel road. Spotting the police team, the smugglers fled into the darkness, abandoning the vehicle. Thirteen sacks of poppy straw were recovered from the car. An FIR has been registered under the NDPS Act at Murhu police station, and a search is underway to trace the absconding smugglers.

The raid was led by SDPO Varun Rajak and Murhu police station in‑charge Nayal Godwin Kerketta.

The second operation was conducted at Anigada Chowk on the Khunti-Chaibasa main road.

Superintendent of Police Rishabh Garg said that during vehicle checks based on specific intelligence, police attempted to stop a motorcycle rider who tried to flee on seeing the team. He managed to escape through farm lands, abandoning his motorcycle and bag.

Upon searching the bag, police recovered 1.995 kg of opium, estimated to be worth around Rs 10 lakh in the international market

In another action, police arrested Ram Munda, a wanted accused in earlier opium smuggling cases, from near Bhandra Chowk. A country‑made pistol was recovered from his possession.

Acting on information that the Aloudi village resident was present in the Bhandra area with a firearm, a team led by SDPO Varun Rajak laid a trap and apprehended him. A case under the Arms Act has been registered and the accused has been sent to jail.

–IANS

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