Mandi (Munish Sood)
In a significant breakthrough against drug trafficking, the Mandi district police have arrested three persons, including a ward panch, and seized 1.37 kg of charas in two separate operations. The arrests were made as part of the Himachal Pradesh Police’s intensified crackdown on narcotics in the state.
In the first case, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) and the field unit of Kullu team intercepted Tote Ram, a ward panch from Jufarkot panchayat, with 846 gm of charas. Acting on a tip-off, the police stopped him on the Jughand road while he was traveling from Gadagusain to Jarol.
Upon seeing the police, the accused attempted to flee but was caught after a short chase. A search of his carry bag led to the recovery of the contraband.
In the second case, the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) set up a checkpoint at Bhambla based on confidential intelligence. During the operation, officers stopped a tempo (HP36F-5760) coming from Mandi and discovered 524 gm of charas inside. Two persons, Ranbir Singh and Rakesh Kumar, both residents of Dehra in Kangra district, were arrested.
Mandi SP Sakshi Verma confirmed both arrests, stating that investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the drugs and whether the accused had links to larger trafficking networks.
Mandi police’s relentless war on drugs
The recent seizures are part of Mandi police’s larger crackdown on narcotics. Several similar operations have been carried out in recent months:
January 2025: The Mandi police registered four NDPS cases at various locations, including Jachchh Bazar and Kamand, leading to the arrest of multiple suspects and the seizure of 351 grams of charas.
November 2024: 307 grams of charas were recovered from a passenger traveling on a private bus from Manali to Shimla. The accused, a resident of Mandi district, was arrested under the NDPS Act.
October 2024: Police arrested nine persons under the NDPS Act in Aut and other areas, seizing a significant quantity of charas from suspects traveling from Kullu to Mandi.
Increasing drug menace in Himachal Pradesh
The growing cases of charas smuggling in Mandi and other districts of Himachal Pradesh highlight the increasing challenge of narcotics in the state. With Himachal Pradesh being a hub for charas production, law enforcement agencies have been ramping up efforts to curb the drug menace.
SP Sakshi Verma emphasised the need for community awareness and strict law enforcement to combat the drug trade. “The police will continue their strong action against drug peddlers, and we urge citizens to report any suspicious activities to help us make Mandi a drug-free district,” she stated.
