Nagpur: The Nagpur Rural police have busted an organised interstate opium racket, seizing nearly 34kg of high-quality opium valued at over 1.68 crore in Jharkhand after a 96-hour operation. Key accused, Manish Kumar Ambika Prasad (46), a hotel and dhaba owner in Jharkhand, was arrested. He is younger brother of a police officer and also serves as a police mitra (volunteer), said sources.Investigators say the network uses hotel and dhaba owners to supply opium to long-distance truckers moving freight across India. The case began on May 20 when Nagpur Rural police’s anti-narcotics squad intercepted truck driver Harvansh Ram near Udasa Udan Bridge on Umred–Nagpur road. Cops allegedly found 237 gm of opium worth 1 lakh, along with a mobile phone, cash and a vehicle. A case was registered by Umred police.SP Harssh A Poddar and addl SP Anil Mhaske formed a team to trace backward and forward linkages. Using technical intel, interrogation and surveillance, the team identified a supplier operating in Simdega district, Jharkhand.On May 25, police raided Bhandartoli area of Simdega and arrested Prasad. During searches of his residence and an open plot in front of his house, officers recovered 34kg of fresh opium hidden in a trench. They also seized 23 lakh in cash, an electronic weighing scale, plastic bags, rubber bands and a mobile handset, taking the total seizure to 2.25 crore .Cops believe Jharkhand is emerging as a new trafficking hub and suspect poppy cultivation in nearby areas. Traditionally linked to Rajasthan–Madhya Pradesh–Punjab route, traffickers are now shifting focus to eastern India.As per investigators, suppliers route opium to Jharkhand-based dhaba owners, who pass it to truckers. The contraband is exchanged at dhabas and transported under cover of goods to demand centres in Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra and MP.Nagpur rural police and LCB, led by API Ankush Mane, have intensified surveillance of transport hubs, dhabas and trucking routes, warning of action under NDPS Act.
