Jaipur, August 2: Rajasthan police achieved a significant breakthrough ahead of Independence Day. They thwarted a major attempt to smuggle drugs and foreign weapons near the India-Pakistan border.
Under Operation Shock Wave, authorities seized approximately 10 kilograms of heroin from Afghanistan, valued at around ₹50 crores, in the Khajuwala area of Bikaner, close to the international border. Alongside the drugs, police confiscated 11 foreign pistols, 22 magazines, 100 live cartridges, and a motorcycle.
This operation is deemed crucial for security, especially since Bikaner will host the state-level Independence Day celebrations on August 15, where Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma will hoist the national flag.
In light of this significant event, security has been heightened across the city, with police maintaining vigilance. An individual named Virendra has been arrested in connection with the case.
During initial questioning, the suspect revealed that the contraband was dropped across the border by a drone from Pakistan. He had arrived to retrieve and further distribute the items.
Authorities have identified several other individuals linked to this smuggling ring during the investigation. Senior police officials stated that this operation has successfully disrupted a major conspiracy involving cross-border trafficking in Rajasthan. The operation was overseen by IG Omprakash and SP Mridul Kachhawa of the Bikaner range.
According to SP Mridul Kachhawa, the district special team and Khajuwala police executed a joint operation, apprehending the suspect on a motorcycle near Chak 6 BD Road in the 32 Head area. Heroin and weapons were recovered from him.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect was preparing to transport the drone-dropped items to another location. The recovered items included 10 kilograms of heroin, two Turkish-made Zigana pistols, four Glock pistols, five Star Mark .30 bore pistols, 22 magazines, and 100 live cartridges.
Police estimate the international market value of the heroin at approximately ₹50 crores, or about ₹5 crores per kilogram.
SP Mridul Kachhawa noted that intelligence agencies had previously alerted the police about potential attempts to smuggle drugs and weapons into India via drones before August 15. This information led to the initiation of Operation Shock Wave under the supervision of IG Omprakash.
Following the arrest, police are investigating the entire smuggling network, focusing on cross-border connections and identifying individuals involved in the retrieval and distribution of the contraband.
Authorities have stated that the investigation is ongoing, and further arrests related to this gang may occur in the coming days.
Leave a Comment