‘Pushpa-style smuggling’: 87kg poppy husk worth Rs 35 lakh found in fake diesel tank; truck driver held in Indore

INDORE: Tejaji Nagar police seized a large quantity of poppy husk from a truck during checking drive on the bypass and arrested the driver. The seized contraband weighed 87 kg and was hidden inside specially created compartments near the diesel tank and toolbox of the truck. Police said the total seized property, including the truck and contraband, was valued at around Rs 35 lakh.DCP Krishna Lalchandani said that a team of Tejaji Nagar police stopped a truck on AB Road. The driver, identified as Butta Singh, a resident of Jalandhar in Punjab, appeared nervous and attempted to drive the vehicle away. He was stopped and questioned but initially did not provide clear answers.A thorough search later revealed that a fake diesel tank and hidden cabin space were created to store the narcotic substance.Police said the accused learnt this concealment method from a film and transported the consignment from Agar Malwa district towards Punjab via Indore, intending to load legal transport goods on the return trip to avoid suspicion. He reportedly confessed to carrying such consignments earlier as well.During interrogation, the accused allegedly admitted that he was paid around Rs 10,000 per delivery and transported the contraband across different states for some time. He also told police that demand for the narcotics increases during winter, which is why it was moved in bulk. Police found that he was already named in an NDPS Act case registered earlier in Kathgarh, Punjab.An offence under NDPS Act was registered and the truck was also seized. The total seized property, including the truck and contraband, was valued at around Rs 35 lakh. Officials said audio-video documentation was recorded on-site under the new criminal law provisions. Further investigation is underway to trace the supply network and buyers linked to the illegal trade.