Punjab: Starting as tea seller, man becomes ‘VIP’ in drug trade

LUDHIANA: The Special Task Force (STF), Ludhiana range, has arrested a 31-year-old man with 2.05 kg heroin and seized a fleet of luxury cars which he had bought with the drug money. The accused was identified as Akash Chopra of Gurmail Park on Tibba Road.
STF officials said besides the contraband, Rs 8 lakh drug money was recovered from him. Officials said 14 vehicles, which were seized by an STF team, included eight luxury cars of big brands like Mercedes, Toyota Fortuner and Mitsubishi Lancer.
Cops said the accused had installed hooters and pasted VIP sticker on one of the vehicles to avoid checking by the police at the checkposts. They said the accused also used to lend money to people and charge 10% interest rate on the same.
STF officials said the accused used to help his father at their tea stall in the courts complex, but the accused started peddling drugs around seven years back. Thereafter, his family disowned him.
Officials said following a tip-off, the accused was arrested from a checkpost on Tajpur road with 1.25 kg heroin. They said on his disclosure, a task force team recovered 800gm more heroin, Rs 8 lakh drug money and vehicles following a raid at his house.
The cops are further tracing properties that the accused had bought with the drug money.
Inspector Harbans Singh, in-charge, STF Ludhiana range, said Akash was already facing trial in several drugs related cases and was out of jail on bail.