Amritsar: Drug peddler nabbed with 3.12-kg opium

Amritsar, July 22

The Verka police have seized over 3 kg of opium and Rs 21,300 of drug money from alleged drug peddler, identified as Hitesh Mehra, of Bhagtanwala Gate are here.

Police Commissioner Ranjit Singh Dhillon on Monday said he was arrested from the Verka bypass area following a specific input that the accused was involved in drug trafficking.

“Yesterday, Verka police team intercepted Mehra near Nanda hospital on the Verka bypass road and seized a huge quantity of opium from his possession,” he said. Besides opium, the police also impounded the scooter he was riding.

As per a preliminary probe, he used to bring the consignments from Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh and used to sell it in Amritsar and adjoining areas.

Earlier, he used to supply “Bhujia and Namkeen” packets in shops. But during the Covid-19 pandemic, he suffered losses and could not sustain his business. At that time, he came in contact with drug peddlers involved in smuggling of opium from UP. He joined hands with them and entered into the illegal trade.

The police have registered a case under the NDPS Act and a further probe was on to establish his backward and forward linkages.