Hazaribag: Chatra police seized 7.54 kg of opium and 293.9 kg of poppy husk in a raid under Kunda police station limits on Saturday. An alleged smuggler was also arrested in the raid, which was carried out in Tegam village. The contraband items cumulatively cost Rs 1 crore.Chatra SP Animesh Naithani said the accused was identified as Jalesh Kumar, 32. During interrogation, Kumar allegedly confessed to cultivating opium illegally in forested areas of Panki in neighbouring Palamu district. The contraband was transported to Tegam village and was to be smuggled into Bihar for sale. Naithani further said Kumar’s links to an interstate trafficking network are being investigated.
The accused in police custody on Saturday
