105kg opium worth Rs 4 cr seized, kingpin arrested

The accused has been identified as Jagannath who was arrested from Bihar after his gang members — Nand Ram, Mangli, Chanderpal, Rakesh Kumar Gupta, Umesh Sahni were apprehended by the police last month. However, 105 kg of opium was recovered from Jagannath’s residence in Manipur.

During investigation it was learnt that Mangli Ram, Nand Ram and Umesh Sahni had brought consignment of opium neatly packed in secret cavities of a Bolero Jeep from Manipur. They brought this consignment to Bareily where they handed over 25 kg opium to Raksh Kumar Gupta and Chanderpal. 

Nand Ram and Mangli brought 80 kgs opium in Delhi to deliver the same to drug peddlers of Punjab and Delhi when they were arrested and 80 kg opium was recovered from the Bolero. Subsequently, three other persons namely Rakesh Kumar Gupta, Umesh Sahni and Chanderpal were arrested from various parts of Bareily, UP and 25 kg opium was recovered from their houses.

In another revelation it was learnt that militancy-affected areas of Manipur have became notorious for illegal cultivation of opium. “Opium has become very popular in areas of Bareily, Badaun, Barabanki in UP due to its low rates. Various modules of drug suppliers have been indulging to bring opium and heroin in parts of UP, Delhi and Punjab from Manipur. 

For the last two years big consignments of opium are being brought to these states from Manipur by these drug suppliers. Part of this opium is also converted into heroin by these drug suppliers in Bareily from where it is sent to remaining parts of country,” a senior police official said.