Heroin worth Rs 10 cr seized; peddler held

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 23

The Special Task Force wing of Ludhiana nabbed a notorious heroin smuggler and recovered 2.05 kg heroin, eight cars (including five luxury cars) and six two wheelers from him. The value of the seized heroin is said to be more than Rs 10 crore in the international market.

The accused has been identified as Akash Chopra (31), alias Honey, a resident of Gurmel Park, Tibba Road. A case under the NDPS Act was registered against him.

STF incharge Inspector Harbans Singh said they had received information that the accused, who is already facing several cases of drug smuggling and other crimes, had bought several luxury cars two wheelers and properties with the proceeds of the drug sale. Today, he was on the way to deliver a large quantity of heroin to his clients from the Tajpur road to Varadhman on his scooter.

The STF team laid a naka and nabbed the accused. During the checking of the scooter’s dicky, 1.250 kg heroin was recovered. Later on his disclosure, 800 gram more heroin and Rs 8 lakh drug money was recovered from his house.

Eight cars — including Mercedes, Toyota Fortuner and Lancer — three motorcycles, and three scooters were also impounded. Inspector Harbans revealed that the accused had tinted glass in most of his cars. Two brothers of the smuggler are in jail.

Used to assist father at tea stall

Before starting the illegal trade of heroin smuggling, the accused used to be an assistant at his father’s tea stall in the new courts complex in Ludhiana. After he started taking drugs, he took to heroin smuggling.

Supplied ‘drugs’ to jail inmates

STF officials suspect that accused supplied drugs to jail inmates who used to come to courts to attend hearings. Officials said it could be possible that the accused was in touch with jail inmates over phone.

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