Chatra: An alleged drugs peddler was arrested with around 4 kg of opium, valued around Rs 25 lakh, police said.The accused was identified as Ramcharan Dangi alias Ramchandra Dangi of Japua village.Chatra SP Animesh Naithany said, “Acting on inputs that a resident of Japua village under Gidhaur police station was waiting on the Chatra-Hazaribag Main Road with narcotic substances to catch a bus for Hazaribag, a team led by Simaria SDPO Shubham Nagar Goje Bhausaheb spotted a man, near Japua village, carrying a bag and standing in suspicious circumstances by the roadside. On seeing the team, the suspect allegedly tried to flee towards nearby bushes, but police chased and overpowered him.During the search, police recovered three plastic packets containing about 4 kg of opium. A smartphone was also seized. Police said around 2 kg of jaggery-like substance was found, allegedly meant to be mixed with the opium to increase its weight before sale.A case under relevant sections of the NDPS Act was registered at Gidhaur police station. The accused was sent to judicial custody.“Protecting society and the youth from drugs abuse is our top priority. Strict action will be taken against anyone involved in cultivation, smuggling, or sale of opium,” SP Naithany said.
