Over 1,100 drug peddlers held by Shimla police in 18 months

In a crackdown on illicit drug trade, Shimla police have arrested over 1,100 persons during the last 18 months. Till now, police have registered around 650 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

Out of these, as many as 355 accused including 13 females were arrested by Shimla police this year while 198 cases under the NDPS Act were registered. Around 100 persons who were arrested are involved in interstate drug trade. The police also seized 2.46 kg chitta (adulterated heroin) from 275 persons, 19.37 kg of cannabis from 46 persons and 17.53 kg opium from 34 persons till September.

Recently, the police nabbed the kingpin of interstate drug trade named Shahi Mahatma alias Shashi Negi, a resident of Rohru, from Theog who had links with Delhi-based Nigerian drug peddlers as well as drug peddlers from Haryana. Speaking about the accused Shashi Negi, Gandhi said that his bank accounts were being investigated. SP further said that Negi was running nefarious activities under the garb of apple business and had 35 to 40 associates out of which 25 had been arrested.

In June, police had arrested another kingpin involved in illicit drug trade from Narkanda.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Shimla Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi said that the Shimla Police had devised a ‘Social Integrated Intelligence Network System’ under which police had prepared a list of drug peddlers. We have also developed a good network with taxi, bus and hotel operators. “Our special investigation cells are working to crack down on peddlers,” he said.

“As a result, this year, there is a noticeable decrease in the drug supply, especially chitta” he added. “In the last few months, we have investigated more than 15 big drug peddlers, who were active but remained undetectable for years,” said the SP.