Lucknow: In a major crackdown on cross-border narcotics trafficking, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) arrested two drug smugglers from the Vibhutikhand area of Lucknow. The duo was caught with approximately 1.5 kilograms of high-grade Nepali charas (hashish), along with two mobile phones, Aadhaar cards, and Rs 1,500 in cash. The total value of the seized contraband is estimated at nearly Rs 10 lakh.
Tip-off Leads to Arrests
According to STF Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Parmesh Kumar Shukla, the arrests were made following a tip-off that two men carrying charas were en route from Kanpur to Gorakhpur via Lucknow. Acting swiftly, the STF team apprehended the suspects near Viraj Tower in Vibhutikhand late Tuesday night.
The accused were identified as Manish Tiwari, a resident of Rakauli Khajuri in Khajani, Bihar, and Sudhir Pandey, a native of Piarpurwa Madhaura in Saran district, Bihar.
Nepal Jail Connection Uncovered
During interrogation, Manish Tiwari revealed a startling connection — his father, Santosh Tiwari, is currently imprisoned in Birgunj Jail in Nepal for a road accident case. Co-accused Sudhir Pandey had also served time in the same jail around two years ago.
It was in this jail that they came in contact with Sanjit Shah, a resident of Birgunj, who is allegedly involved in a charas smuggling network operating across Nepal and multiple districts in Uttar Pradesh.
Incomplete Drug Deal Foiled
Manish and Sudhir told police that on Santosh’s instructions, they went to collect charas from a dealer in Nawabasta, Kanpur, in a deal arranged by Sanjit Shah. The original deal was for 10 kilograms, but due to incomplete payment, they were only able to procure a smaller quantity.
The final delivery was to be made in Gorakhpur to a man named Baljeet alias Tau, reportedly a resident of Rohtak, Haryana. The STF is now actively pursuing leads to trace Baljeet and others linked to this transnational drug racket.
Case Registered, Further Investigation Underway
An FIR has been registered at Vibhutikhand Police Station, and the accused have been remanded to police custody. The STF is expanding its investigation to dismantle the broader network believed to be trafficking Nepali charas into India using jail contacts and interstate operatives.
This bust sheds light on how narcotics operations are being orchestrated even from behind bars, exploiting networks formed within prisons and leveraging weak border control mechanisms.
