Lucknow: In a major breakthrough, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF), Lucknow, arrested two inter-state drug traffickers wanted in Maharashtra for supplying illegal narcotics across residential pubs, hotels, and parties. The arrest was made under the guidance of SP STF Headquarters Dharmesh Kumar Shahi and in coordination with Maharashtra Police authorities.
On March 23, 2026, the STF received intelligence that two wanted criminals, Bhavesh Chauhan and Shaheb Ashraf, involved in inter-state drug trafficking under FIR No. 135/2026 registered at Nayagaon Police Station, Mira-Bhayandar, Maharashtra, were hiding in Lucknow. Acting on this information, an STF team led by Sub-Inspectors Atul Chaturvedi, Devendra Pal Singh, Pradeep Kumar Singh, and other officers conducted surveillance in Lucknow.
Around 6:00 PM near the Tempo Stand at Charbagh Railway Station, the STF located the suspects allegedly attempting to flee. Both Bhavesh Chauhan (alias Lalu, son of Prabhakar Chauhan, originally from Baji Rao Purwa, District Harda, Madhya Pradesh) and Shaheb Ashraf Pathan (alias Batla, son of Ashraf Pathan, originally from Alkapuri, Nalla Sopara East, Mumbai) were immediately apprehended.
During interrogation, the accused confessed to operating an inter-state drug trafficking network for the past 4–5 years. They revealed that, along with their associates, they manufactured “brown sugar” from chemicals available in the market. They further admitted that after a seizure in Vasai-Virar, Maharashtra on February 5, 2026, they fled Mumbai intending to cross into Nepal via Lucknow.
The arrested individuals have an extensive criminal history in Maharashtra, including multiple cases registered at Vasai-Virar and Tuljapur police stations under sections related to murder, attempted murder, rioting, unlawful assembly, assault, and drug offenses:
- FIR 553/2023 – Sections 304/307/143/147/148, Achalale Police Station
- FIR 392/2023 – Sections 8/22, Achalale Police Station
- FIR 523/2022 – Sections 308/34, Achalale Police Station
- FIR 324/2022 – Sections 323/143/147/323/504, Achalale Police Station
- FIR 764/2021 – Sections 307/324/342/147, Tuljapur Police Station
- FIR 356/2021 – Sections 452/324/148/149, Tuljapur Police Station
- FIR 49/2021 – Sections 323/149/148/147, Tuljapur Police Station
- FIR 348/2025 – Sections 308(4)/3(5), Achalale Police Station
The STF coordinated closely with Maharashtra police officials, including Assistant Police Inspector Yashpal Suryavanshi and constables Jayant Khandvi and Chetan Thakre, to track and apprehend the fugitives. Legal proceedings for their crimes are being processed under FIR No. 135/2026 at Nayagaon Police Station, Maharashtra, under the relevant narcotics and criminal provisions.
This operation underscores the STF’s proactive role in inter-state coordination and its commitment to curbing organized drug trafficking in Uttar Pradesh.
