In a significant breakthrough, nine more individuals linked to the ₹8-crore inter-state drug racket have been arrested, taking the total number of arrests in this case to 52.
This syndicate, which operated predominantly in the Rohru-Chirgaon belt of Shimla district, had been a well-oiled operation for over three years.
Its activities had poisoned the region with heroin, with police recovering 468 grams of the substance earlier this year, leading to the arrest of its kingpin, known as Shahi Mahatma.
The Arrests
The nine individuals arrested today are:
1. Balwan Singh (38), hailing from Adal village in Rohru
2. Pushkar Chauhan (35), from Mehandli, Rohru.
3. Vivek Kumar (30), from Khashdhar, Chirgaon.
4. Anshul Negi (27), from Bhatwa, Chirgaon.
5. Vikash Kumar (30), from Jhalwari, Chirgaon.
6. Ajay Kumar (31), from Kaloti, Chirgaon.
7. Anuj Chauhan (37), from Dhanoti, Rohru.
8. Abhishek (age not disclosed), from Thana, Rohru.
9. Harshit Chauhan (age not disclosed), from Turan, Jubbal.
These arrests follow an intensive financial and technical investigation into the drug nexus, revealing the deep roots of the operation and its massive earnings.
Zero Tolerance for Drugs
Superintendent of Police, Shimla, Sanjeev Gandhi reiterated the district police’s commitment to its Zero Tolerance Policy towards drug trafficking.
“This is not just about arrests; we are dismantling an entire network. Each arrested individual brings us closer to eradicating the scourge of drugs from Shimla,” said the SP.
The Shahi Mahatma gang, with links extending to Jammu and Kashmir, had established a supply chain that preyed on the youth of Himachal Pradesh.
The latest arrests underline the police's determination to crush organized crime and ensure justice for the communities affected by drug abuse.
Mission Clean: A Growing Success
Under Mission Clean, Shimla Police has been unrelenting in its crackdown on drug-related activities.
From conducting deep financial probes to using advanced technology, the police has adopted a comprehensive approach to root out the drug menace.
As the legal proceedings against the 52 arrested individuals progress, the dismantling of this syndicate serves as a stark warning to others engaged in such activities: the Shimla Police means business, and no one involved in destroying lives through drugs will be spared.
The people of Shimla, meanwhile, have lauded the police for their efforts, with many expressing hope that the district will soon be free from the clutches of drug abuse.
