ANTF arrests 7 drug traffickers, seize Rs 3 crore narcotics

Lucknow: In co-ordinated operations, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) arrested 7 drug traffickers and seized contraband worth approximately Rs 3 crore in the international market.The large-scale action was conducted as part of the state govt's intensified drive to make Uttar Pradesh drug-free, following directives issued by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
The co-ordinated operations were conducted on Feb 11, under the guidance of the additional director general of police (crime), Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, and under the supervision of the Inspector General, ANTF, Lucknow. Multiple ANTF units, including ANTF Police Station Saharanpur, ANTF Unit Bareilly and ANTF Operational Unit Agra, carried out simultaneous actions across different districts. In total, the ANTF arrested 7 accused in 4 separate cases. The seized contraband included 7.140 Kg of illegal opium and 514.745 Kg of illegal cannabis (ganja). The estimated international value of the seized narcotics is about Rs 3 crore. On Feb 11, ANTF Saharanpur arrested 3 traffickers near police outpost Mau Khas under Mundali Police Station, Meerut district and recovered 3.140 Kg of illegal opium (estimated value Rs 16 lakh), 1 motorcycle, 3 mobile phones, and Rs 900 cash. The arrested accused were identified as Vijendra, Khunnilal and Mansingh. In another case, ANTF Bareilly arrested 1 trafficker, Virendra, from the Subhashnagar Police Station area and seized 4Kg of illegal opium (estimated value Rs 20 lakh), 1 mobile phone, and Rs 3,400 cash. In another matter, a joint team of ANTF Operational Unit Agra and Aligarh district police arrested Pushpendra on Feb 12, from the Iglas Police Station area in Aligarh. The team recovered 490.745 Kg of illegal cannabis valued at approximately Rs 2.50 crore, along with 1 tractor, 1 car, 3 motorcycles and 1 mobile phone. In a similar case, the Operational Unit of Agra arrested 2 traffickers, Manoj Kumar and Zakir, from the Trans-Yamuna Police Station area in Agra Commissionerate. The police recovered 24 Kg of illegal cannabis (estimated value Rs 12 lakh), 2 Android mobile phones, and Rs 600 in cash.