Udaipur (Rajasthan) [India], March 2 (HBTV): Around 170 acres of illicit opium cultivation, valued at over INR 275 crore, were destroyed in the remote tribal and hilly areas of Samoli, Khuna and Pipli in Kotda tehsil of Udaipur district, officials of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) said.
The operation was carried out jointly by the Narcotics Control Bureau, the Rajasthan Anti-Narcotics Task Force and the state police.
Officials said intensive follow-up surveillance is underway by the NCB and the Anti-Narcotics Task Force, Rajasthan, to apprehend the absconding accused.
In a separate incident, Bathinda Police in February arrested two alleged drug traffickers and recovered 6.5 kilograms of opium smuggled from Rajasthan, officials said.
Speaking to ANI, SP City Narinder Singh said, 'Bathinda Police achieved success in the Punjab government's ongoing anti-drug campaign. A checkpoint was set up in front of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Technical University, where we intercepted two individuals travelling in a Swift car. During the search, 4 kilograms of opium were recovered from them. We registered Case No 39 at Canal Colony Police Station. The two individuals involved in this case, Jagsir Singh Seera and Mahendra Singh, were arrested, and 4 kg of opium was recovered. Later, an additional 2.5 kg of opium was recovered based on information provided by Jagsir. We have produced them in court and obtained a three-day police remand. During this remand, we expect more revelations and are continuing our interrogation.'
He added, 'During the investigation, they revealed that they had brought the opium from Rajasthan and used to supply it in Bathinda and several nearby districts. Six cases under the NDPS Act are registered against Jagsir Singh Seera. He is serving a 10-year sentence in two cases involving commercial quantities. He was released on bail in September 2024. After his release, he resumed drug trafficking.'
(ANI)