Palanpur: Aravali special operations group (SOG) personnel seized 278.77 kg of poppy straw worth Rs 41.81 lakh after a late-night vehicle chase near Navi Shinol village in Dhansura police station limits on Tuesday. Two suspects escaped after abandoning their vehicle after an alleged attempt to fire at police.According to statement from the police, personnel of the SOG and quick response team (QRT) were conducting night patrols, vehicle checks and blockades when they signalled a black Mahindra Scorpio approaching from Shika Road to stop. The driver ignored the signal and sped towards Kishorpura Chowkdi.Inspector P B Choudhary pursued the vehicle while alerting personnel stationed at a blockade ahead. When officers attempted to stop the Scorpio, the driver reversed towards Shika Chowkdi at high speed and rammed an approaching police vehicle. The driver subsequently lost control and the SUV veered off the road.Police said that as officers moved in, one of the two occupants allegedly pulled out a pistol and attempted to fire. In response, inspector Choudhary fired two rounds. The suspects then abandoned the Scorpio and fled under the cover of darkness.A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 16 bags containing 278.77kg of poppy straw, valued at Rs 41,81,550. Police also seized the Scorpio, valued at Rs 8 lakh, two mobile phones worth Rs 20,000, a magazine, two live cartridges and multiple fake or different number plates. The total value of the seized property is Rs 50,10,550.“There is a syndicate of narcotics smugglers who transport poppy straw to Sanchore in Rajasthan from Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh. Previously, we arrested three persons, all from Sanchor, who gave us information about this syndicate,” said Manoharsinh Jadeja, SP, Aravalli.
