Three peddlers arrested with 41-gm heroin

In a significant breakthrough, the Shimla police arrested three drug peddlers, including a kingpin, with 41.81 gm of heroin (chitta) at the Interstate Bus Terminus (ISBT) in Tutikandi. The accused have been identified as Balbir Singh, alias Fauji, of Naghadhar village in Nankhari Tehsil, Shimla; Akhilesh Kumar Mehta, the kingpin, from Kholighat village in Nankhari Tehsil; and Savèen Mehta of Shalag village in Nankhari, Shimla.

The trio was apprehended while traveling from the bus stand to Nankhari when they were stopped for a routine check by the police. During the inspection, the police discovered the contraband in their possession.

According to the police, the accused have been involved in drug peddling, particularly chitta, in the Nankhari area, and prior cases have been registered against them. Balbir Singh, the leader of the racket, is already facing trial in a drug-related case.

Shimla Superintendent of Police (SP) Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi confirmed the arrests and stated that further investigation is ongoing.

One held with 668 gm of cannabis in Shimla

In a separate case, Ajay Kumar of Belag village in Chopal Tehsil was arrested with 668 gm of cannabis in the Nerwa area. The accused was detained after he changed his direction upon spotting a police team in Neoti village. The police, acting on suspicion, searched him and recovered the cannabis.

The Shimla SP confirmed the incident and stated that a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, has been registered against the accused, and further investigation is underway.