THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, Jan 30: The Palamu Sadar police on Thursday foiled an attempt to smuggle foreign liquor disguised as bottled water, seizing 150 carton boxes containing 1,342 litres of liquor from a pickup van. In a separate operation, police also recovered 800 grams of opium worth ₹4 lakh and arrested two persons.
Liquor Cartons Disguised as Bottled Water
Giving details, in-charge Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Rajeev Ranjan said the liquor cartons were loaded in a pickup van bearing a Jharkhand registration number. The vehicle was intercepted at Bahlolwa following a tip-off received by SP Reeshma Ramesan.
Two occupants of the vehicle — Saroj Prajapati (32) and Surender Mahto (41), both residents of Ranchi district, attempted to pass off the cartons as bottled water. However, a thorough search revealed the cartons were filled with foreign liquor amounting to 1,342 litres.
The accused told police that the liquor was procured from Ranchi and was being transported for sale in the Aurangabad district of Bihar. Both were booked under various sections of the Excise Act and forwarded to judicial custody on Friday.
Police also seized the pickup van and mobile phones from their possession.
Opium Worth ₹4 Lakh Seized at Rajwadeeh
In another case, the Sadar police arrested Suchit Bhuiyan (25) and Kulender Bhuiyan (25) at Rajwadeeh Chowk and recovered 800 grams of opium valued at ₹4 lakh. Two mobile phones and ₹800 in cash were also seized.
DySP Rajeev Ranjan said the opium consignment was being transported in a three-wheeler from Panki to Daltonganj. The suspects were intercepted after their suspicious behaviour caught the attention of the police.
Preliminary investigation revealed that one of the accused, Kulender Bhuiyan, is a resident of Chatra district, suggesting the opium originated from there.
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Drug Shipment Meant for Punjab
During interrogation, the accused disclosed that the opium was purchased from Tetar Yadav of Tarhassi police station area and was meant to be sent by train to Jalandhar or other parts of Punjab.
Responding to queries about the quantity, DySP Rajeev Ranjan said, “Though it is 800 grams, its value is ₹4 lakh. This is not a small matter.”
Both accused were booked under relevant sections of the NDPS Act and sent to judicial custody on Friday.
Press Conference in Daltonganj
The details of both cases were shared during a press conference held in Daltonganj by in-charge DySP Rajeev Ranjan, accompanied by DySP (probation) R Yadav. Though the crimes were different in nature and location, both were successfully foiled by the Palamu Sadar police.
