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The Special Cell of Shimla Police has seized 242 grams of heroin (commonly known as "chitta") and arrested three alleged drug traffickers following a special operation near the Shoghi Barrier area on the outskirts of Shimla.
Acting on specific intelligence received on July 6 that a consignment of heroin was being transported in a vehicle through the Shoghi Barrier area, the Special Cell team immediately set up a checkpoint and intercepted the suspected vehicle. During a search conducted in accordance with legal procedures and in the presence of independent witnesses, police recovered 242 grams of heroin from the vehicle. The arrested accused have been identified as Inder Dev alias Danu, a resident of Sunni in Shimla district; Moti Sharma, a resident of New Shimla; and Suraj Chauhan, originally from Deoria district in Uttar Pradesh and presently residing in Kumarsain, Shimla district. A case has been registered at Baluganj Police Station under FIR No. 133/2026 dated July 6 under Sections 21 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. All three accused were arrested on the spot. Preliminary investigation has revealed that the prime accused, Inder Dev alias Danu, is a habitual drug trafficker with an extensive criminal record. Police said more than 53 criminal cases are registered against him, including nine cases under the NDPS Act, besides offences under the Arms Act, the Excise Act and theft-related cases. Investigators further said the accused had previously been detained for three months under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act and was released from jail on June 21, 2026. Initial investigation indicates that he was an active member of a network allegedly supplying heroin to hundreds of youths across Sunni, Rampur, Kumarsain and other parts of Shimla district. The accused are being produced before the competent court to seek police remand. Police said further investigation is underway to identify the entire supply chain, including backward and forward linkages, financial transactions and other members of the drug trafficking network. Additional Superintendent of Police, Shimla City, Mehar Panwar, said, "Acting on credible intelligence, the Special Cell intercepted the vehicle and recovered 242 grams of heroin. The investigation is progressing on scientific lines, and we are examining the entire supply network, financial trail and all backward and forward linkages. We remain committed to dismantling organised drug trafficking networks operating in and around Shimla." (ANI)
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