Himachal Pradesh: In a major breakthrough against drug trafficking, Solan police have busted a Punjab-based heroin supply chain and arrested three major drug traffickers from the Chandigarh area. These arrests are a significant step toward stemming the flow of smuggling into Himachal Pradesh. The operation was carried out on September 9th based on a tip-off received by Dharampur police. Acting on the information, police intercepted a Triber vehicle traveling from Parwanoo to Dharampur. Two occupants—Naresh Sharma (38) and Anish Verma (31), both residents of Shoghi—were found carrying 10.42 grams of heroin. A case was registered under the NDPS Act and both were remanded for questioning. Their interrogation revealed their links to a larger network based in Punjab, led by Mukesh alias Monu (43), a resident of Dera Bassi. Technical surveillance of mobile phone records, social media activity, and financial transactions revealed the involvement of two more suspects—Ajay (22), a resident of Mohali, and Ashok Kumar alias Sudama (29), a resident of Panchkula.
On September 11, a police team formed conducted raids in Chandigarh, Zirakpur, and Dera Bassi. After four days of intensive searches, the three men were arrested on September 15. Police recovered an electronic weighing scale, four mobile phones, a modem used in drug trafficking, and a live 7.6 mm bullet from Mukesh, who has now also been charged under the Arms Act. Investigations revealed that Mukesh was a major interstate supplier operating in Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh, and Himachal Pradesh. He had already been named in an NDPS case registered in Parwanoo on August 5 and had been absconding since then. Police also confirmed his involvement in an assault case in Lalru. Meanwhile, Ajay and Ashok allegedly acted as couriers for Mukesh, delivering the contraband and managing the funds received in their bank accounts. Naresh and Anish, who were arrested earlier, were also found to have financial dealings with the trio. During the investigation, their previous criminal records surfaced—Naresh has an NDPS case registered in Chandigarh, and Ashok has a theft case registered in Zirakpur. Solan Superintendent of Police Gaurav Singh said the accused have been remanded in custody for four days.
Himachal: Inter-state heroin network busted
