Garhwal Post Bureau
Srinagar (Pauri Garhwal), 24 Aug: Pauri Garhwal police claim to have intensified their campaign against the illegal narcotics trade under the directions of SSP Sarvesh Panwar. The police have also claimed that strict action is being taken against those involved in the sale, supply, transport and distribution of contraband. As part of the ongoing drive, Srinagar police seized 90 kilograms of ganja from a Maruti Eeco ambulance and arrested its driver. The estimated value of the seized ganja is around Rs.45 lakhs.
Under the supervision of Circle Officer Srinagar, Tapesh Kumar and led by Inspector-in-Charge Kotwali Srinagar, Kuldeep Singh, a police team was yesterday conducting a vehicle checking campaign near the Awas Vikas Ground. A private Maruti Eeco ambulance bearing registration number UK14-PA-0539 was stopped on suspicion and thoroughly searched. During the search, nine sacks containing 90 kilograms of ganja were recovered from inside the vehicle. The driver, identified as Ravindra Singh Bisht, aged 45, son of late Kripal Singh, resident of Chauras, Tehri Garhwal, presently living in Srinagar, was arrested on the spot.
During interrogation, the accused revealed that he operated the ambulance in the Shrikot area and, along with an associate, was transporting ganja from Rudraprayag to Srinagar with the intention of selling it at a higher price for profit. The Police investigations further disclosed that the accused had earlier been involved in narcotics-related offences. A case has been registered against him under Sections 8/20/60 of the NDPS Act at Kotwali Srinagar. The police are now probing the possibility of a wider network, including the sources of supply, other individuals involved in transporting the contraband to Srinagar, and its intended distribution channels. The arresting team included Senior Sub-Inspector Pankaj Tiwari, Sub-Inspector Vijay Shailani and other personnel, who carried out the operation successfully.
