Nagpur cops seize 34 kg opium in Simdega, bust inter-state racket

Nagpur/Gumla: The Nagpur rural police have busted an organised interstate opium racket, seizing nearly 34 kg of high-quality opium valued at over Rs 1.68 crore in Jharkhand’s Simdega district after a 96-hour operation.

The key accused, Manish Kumar, 46, a hotel and dhaba owner in Simdega, was arrested. He is the younger brother of a police officer and also serves as a police mitra (volunteer), sources said.

Investigators said the network uses hotel and dhaba owners to supply opium to long-distance truckers moving freight across the country. The probe could also reveal cross-border links, including possible routes into Nepal.

The case began on May 20 when Nagpur rural police’s anti-narcotics squad intercepted truck driver Harvansh Ram near Udasa Udan bridge on the Umred–Nagpur Road. Police allegedly found 237 grams of opium worth about Rs 1 lakh, along with a mobile phone, cash and a vehicle. A case was registered at Umred police station.

Nagpur rural SP Harsh A Poddar and additional SP Anil Mhaske formed a team to trace backward and forward linkages. Using technical intelligence, interrogation, inputs and surveillance, the team identified a main supplier operating in Simdega district.

On Monday, police raided Bhandartoli village in Simdega and arrested Kumard. During searches of his residence and an open plot in front of his house, officers recovered 34 kg of opium hidden in a trench. They also seized Rs 23 lakh in cash, an electronic weighing scale, plastic bags, rubber bands and a mobile handset, taking the total seizures to Rs 2.25 crore.

As per investigators, suppliers route opium to Jharkhand-based dhaba owners, who pass it to truckers. The contraband is exchanged at roadside eateries, concealed in vehicles and transported under cover of legitimate goods movement to demand centres in Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Police sources also indicated involvement of transporters from Nagpur region.

Prasad has been brought to Nagpur on transit remand.

Simdega SP Shrikant S Khotre said, “The anti-narcotics team from Nagpur arrived in Simdega on May 24 with the accused for the searches.”