Chitta a major concern for Shimla; 1.5 kg seized in 6 months, 172 held

Navneet Rathore

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Shimla, July 8

Heroin (chitta) has become a major concern in Shimla district as this year (from January 1 to July 6), 172 persons have been arrested with the contraband and 1.57 kg heroin has been seized from the possession of the accused by the police.

This figure includes several high profile persons, including Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former minister Succha Singh Langah’s son, who was arrested in the state’s capital along with several others, earlier this year.

Over the past few months, Shimla police have busted several big drug rackets and arrested many interstate peddlers.

Good network to catch offenders

We have prepared a list of drug peddlers and also developed a good network with taxi, bus and hotel operators. Our special investigation cells are working to crackdown on peddlers. The challenge of abuse of narcotics and psychotropic substances has become a big problem. Shimla police have spearheaded campaigns by strengthening the intelligence network and making people aware of the ill-effects of drugs. — Sanjeev Gandhi , Shimla SP

This year, 138 cases have been registered against 239 accused — of whom 232 were males and seven females.

While most of the accused were from the state, 57 have been arrested from neighbouring states and Nepal. As many as 182 have been arrested from the state.

Apart from 172 suspects arrested with heroin, 41 persons have been arrested with cannabis, 17 with opium, five with ‘syrup bottles’ and one with ‘smack’.

With 26 suspects hailing from Punjab, the neighbouring state tops the number of accused arrested for possession of drugs by the Shimla police in the last six months.

Apart from this, 14 accused belonged to Nepal, and five to Uttar Pradesh. Three suspects each hail from Haryana and Uttarakhand, two each from Delhi and Chandigarh and one each from Rajasthan and Bihar.

According to the police, this year, they seized 1.579 kg heroin (chitta), 14.42 kg opium, 12.54 kg cannabis (charas), 116.72 gm poppy husk, 5.48 gm ‘smack’, 3,601 poppy plants, 503 narcotic tablets and 38 bottles of intoxicating liquids.

Shimla Superintendent of Police (SP) Sanjeev Gandhi said in order to nab the drug peddlers, the district police had developed strong intelligence networks.

“We have prepared a list of drug peddlers and have also developed a good network with taxi, bus and hotel operators. Our special investigation cells are working to crack down on peddlers,” said the SP.

“The challenge of abuse of narcotics and psychotropic substances has become a big problem. Shimla police have spearheaded campaigns by strengthening the intelligence network and making people aware of the ill-effects of drugs,” he said.