3 held for drug trade

In a major breakthrough in the ongoing war against narcotics, Shimla police have arrested three more individuals for their alleged involvement in the illicit heroin (chitta) trade across the district.

The accused have been identified as Rahul Sharma (32) of Bandli village in Kotkhai Tehsil, Harsh Dhanta (30) of Magauta village in Jubbal Tehsil and Aniket Bragta (26) of Gorli village in Chopal Tehsil, all in Shimla district.

According to police sources, these arrests were made during the investigation of a case registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act earlier this month.

The case began with the arrest of Rohit Dhiman (37), a resident of Bahina village in Barsar Tehsil, Hamirpur. He was caught with 15.61 gm of heroin on July 5 near Gumma in Kotkhai while seated in a car parked by the roadside. A case was registered at Kotkhai Police Station and a detailed investigation was launched.

By tracing backward linkages and analysing financial transactions, investigators were able to identify the three additional suspects. The police tracked and apprehended them from different locations across the region. Confirming the development, police officials stated that the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are likely.