5 associates of Shah syndicate arrested

In a significant crackdown on drug peddlers, five more associates of the Shah syndicate — operated by Sandeep Shah, a software engineer turned inter-state drug kingpin — has been nabbed by the police.

The accused have been identified as Puneet Chauhan, resident of Sanjauli in Shimla; Suniel Sharma, resident of Lower Khalini; Vanish Sarkaik, resident of Sanjauli; Rohit Chandel, resident of Karani village in Theog; and Umesh, resident of Kui village in Matiana.

Shimla Superintendent of Police (SP) Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi confirmed the report. He said these persons were involved in the drug rackets. During the investigation, the police came to know about their involvement in drug peddling activities, mainly heroin, after which a police team was sent to nab them. He said cases under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985 had been registered against the accused and further investigation was underway. The SP said more drug peddlers associated with the syndicate would also be nabbed soon.

He added said the syndicate was working in an organised supply chain operations, under which a significant supply chain has been operating with the aid of online bookings through various social media platforms.

On January 16, the police nabbed Sandeep Shah from Kolkata, from where he was airlifted to Shimla. Sandeep Shah was running a major drug racket in the district, including the upper regions such as Rohru, Kotkhai, Jubbal, Theog, etc. He was targeting youngsters and buyers of chitta as his associates used to persuade the buyers to get involved in drug trade, thus becoming the conduits to the main drug peddler. According to the police, Shah was running an interstate drug racket for the past three and four years and around 400 people involved in the drug racket operated by the Shah syndicate have been identified during the course of the investigation.