Photo used for indicative purpose only. Source: Internet
Shimla, May 10
Himachal Pradesh Police claimed dismantling of 25 drug cartel in Himachal Pradesh in 2026 in which 33 people are arrested.
Superintendent of police Shimla Garauv Singh said that Shimla Police intensive campaign against drug trafficking continues major efforts underway to dismantle interstate narcotics networks operating in district
Under this drive, FIR No. 31/2026 dated March 26, 2026, was registered at Himachal Pradesh Police under Sections 21 and 29 of the NDPS Act.
During the operation, the police team recovered 53 grams of heroin (chitta) from accused Pinku Ram, son of Karm Chand, a resident of Kanewara in Rohru, and Sunil Puharata, son of Mehar Singh, a resident of Tikkar, Rohru.
Following the arrest of both accused, sustained interrogation along with analysis of bank accounts, mobile phones and digital evidence revealed that the main accused, Pinku Ram, had allegedly been procuring and selling chitta in the Rohru area for a long period through Salman Haider, a resident of Uttar Pradesh.
Acting on these findings, the Rohru police team arrested Salman Haider, son of Shakir Ali, a resident of Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, on April 12, 2026.
Further investigation into the supply chain, supported by technical surveillance, call detail records and digital analysis, revealed that Salman Haider was allegedly sourcing the contraband through one Thomas Masih from Punjab. Investigators also uncovered evidence of financial transactions and continuous contact among the accused.
Based on these findings, the Rohru police team arrested the alleged main supplier, Thomas Masih, son of Robert Masih, a resident of Kala Afghana, Tehsil Batala, District Gurdaspur, Punjab, aged 29 years, from the Gurdaspur area on May 9, 2026. Further investigation in the case is underway.
In another case, FIR No. 35/2026 dated March 29, 2026, was registered at Kotkhai police station under Sections 109, 121(1), 132, 221 and 3(5) of the BNS, Sections 21 and 29 of the NDPS Act and Section 25 of the Arms Act.
During the operation, police arrested Ramanjit Singh, son of Gurmeet Singh, a resident of Mohali, Punjab, and Rubal Chauhan, son of Rajendra Chauhan, a resident of Kotkhai. Police recovered a pistol, two gas-cylinder pistols, a small knife, around 6 grams of meth crystal (Ice) and 2 grams of heroin (chitta) from their possession.
During interrogation, accused Ramanjit Singh disclosed that the heroin and meth crystal had allegedly been procured from a person identified as Golu in Chandigarh.
Subsequent technical investigation, including call data analysis and interrogation of the accused, enabled police to trace the alleged main supplier. Acting on the leads, the police arrested Golu, identified as Ram Swarup, a resident of Dadu Majra, Sector-38 West, Chandigarh, aged 29 years, from Chandigarh on May 10, 2026.
According to police officials, the quality of investigation in NDPS cases registered by the district police has improved significantly in 2026, leading to major success in exposing large interstate drug trafficking networks. Police said focused investigation and backward linkage analysis are helping identify key suppliers and network operators rather than merely arresting small-time peddlers.
In 2026 alone, police have arrested 33 accused through backward linkage investigations, the highest figure recorded so far. In comparison, four such arrests were made in 2024 and seven in 2025.
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Similarly, police claimed to have dismantled 25 drug trafficking networks operating across multiple states during 2026, compared to one network in 2024 and four in 2025. The crackdown has targeted active interstate supply chains linked to Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala.
Police stated that sustained action against these organised networks is weakening the narcotics supply chain and is expected to help prevent similar crimes in the future. The district police reiterated their commitment to continue a strict and strategically planned campaign against drug trafficking.
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