New Delhi: A 300-gram heroin seizure in Outer Delhi’s Begumpur area has led police to an alleged interstate drug network operating across Delhi-NCR and Uttar Pradesh.The investigation culminated in the recovery of 7 kg of heroin, estimated to be worth around Rs 50 crore in the international market, and the arrest of four accused.Joint commissioner of police (Northern Range) Vijay Singh said the investigation began on Sept 16, when a special staff team led by inspector Sandeep Godara acted on specific intelligence about narcotics movement in Begumpur.“The team intercepted a car in Sector 32, Begumpur, and apprehended 58-year-old Laxman Hooda, a resident of Rohtak, Haryana. The search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of 300 grams of heroin and Rs 3 lakh in cash,” the Joint CP said.A case was registered and, the following day, investigators arrested Anil alias Bhola (51) from Sonipat. Police said 501 grams of heroin was recovered from his car. The arrests prompted investigators to trace the source of the heroin being supplied to the Delhi-NCR market.Using technical surveillance and human intelligence, police tracked the alleged supply chain to premises in Sita Colony, Jankipuram, Lucknow, where they suspected an illegal manufacturing unit was operating.“On Oct 4, police raided the premises and arrested Bablu (35), a resident of Bareilly. The raid allegedly uncovered 6.2 kg of freshly manufactured heroin,” said DCP (Rohini) Shashank Jaiswal.Police said the seizure suggested the premises was more than a storage or distribution point. During the raid, investigators allegedly recovered materials and equipment used in the manufacturing process, including 2.5 kg of sodium and 787 grams of acetic anhydride. A tub, gas cylinder, mixer grinder, utensils, polythene sheets, an electronic weighing machine, a wooden basket and other articles were also seized.The recovery of both finished narcotics and raw materials provided investigators with a crucial link between the supply network and its alleged production base.During questioning, police said Bablu’s disclosures helped trace Ruksar Ali alias Raju, whom investigators described as the alleged main supplier and owner of the manufacturing facility.Ruksar Ali was traced to Bareilly and apprehended after what police described as an intensive pursuit covering around 120 km.Police said Ruksar Ali had previously been involved in three NDPS cases, while Bablu had one previous NDPS case. Anil, according to police records, was a parole jumper and a proclaimed offender in an NDPS case registered at Bhalswa Dairy police station.
