Police in Chatra district of Jharkhand seized 324 kilograms of illegal opium poppy husk during a special operation in the Simaria police station area, with officials estimating its value at approximately Rs 50 lakh in the international market. The suspected traffickers abandoned two vehicles and fled, prompting an investigation into the alleged smuggling network.
According to Chatra Superintendent of Police Animesh Naithani, police received intelligence inputs indicating that an organised opium trafficking group was active in the Simaria area through the Badhar region. Based on the information, a special raiding team was formed under the leadership of the Simaria Sub-Divisional Police Officer, and surveillance was intensified in the area while checks on suspicious vehicles were initiated.
During the operation, police spotted two luxury vehicles approaching from the Chatra side at high speed. Officers signalled the vehicles to stop, but the drivers allegedly accelerated and attempted to flee, deepening police suspicion and leading to an immediate pursuit.
Police officials said a high-speed chase followed before the vehicles were surrounded near the Chorahi area. After abandoning the vehicles, the drivers fled toward a nearby forest and escaped in the darkness. A search operation was conducted in the area, but no trace of the suspects was found.
Upon searching the abandoned vehicles, police recovered a large quantity of narcotic material. Officials said approximately 169 kilograms of opium poppy husk was recovered from one vehicle and 155 kilograms from the other, taking the total seizure to 324 kilograms. Police stated that the consignment was allegedly being transported to Hazaribagh for large-scale trafficking.
Police estimated the international market value of the seized opium poppy husk at around Rs 50 lakh and said the consignment could be linked to a larger narcotics trafficking network. Officials stated that the operation would assist in investigating networks active in the region.
Police suspect that an organised group may be involved in the trafficking operation across Jharkhand and nearby districts. Investigators are examining the seized vehicles to identify their owners, routes and possible links to the suspected network.
SP Animesh Naithani said police acted immediately after receiving intelligence and recovered a substantial quantity of narcotic material during the operation. He said a special team had been formed to identify and arrest the absconding suspects and that a detailed investigation into the broader network was underway.
Police said Chatra district has intensified its campaign against narcotics trafficking in recent months, leading to multiple arrests and seizures of narcotic substances in separate operations. Officials stated that such operations would continue as part of efforts to curb narcotics trafficking in the district.
Following the seizure, police said surveillance in border and rural areas had been intensified. Local residents have also been urged to immediately inform police about any suspicious activity.
