Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 7

The anti-narcotics cell of the city police have arrested a smuggler and recovered 500 gm of opium from his possession.

The accused has been identified as Harsh Verma, alias Kaka, of Mahavir Colony, Bhamian. A case under the NDPS Act was registered against the accused yesterday at the Moti Nagar police station here.

Anti-narcotics cell in-charge Rajesh Sharma in a statement issued stated that a tip-off was received that the accused was into the illegal trade of opium smuggling and he was on the way to deliver a consignment of narcotics to his clients.

Following which, the police party conducted a raid and nabbed him along with opium.

During preliminary questioning, the accused admitted that he owns a lottery stall but for the past few months, he started consuming opium. To bear its expenses, he also started selling the same and was making money from the illegal trade.

Rajesh said the accused also had a notorious past as he was earlier nabbed by the Special Task Force wing with drugs and after coming out on bail, he again started the illegal trade.

The police would take further police remand of the accused so that in further questioning, the entire supply line could be busted and more recovery of opium could be made.