Two held with 87kg of poppy pods in Chatra

Chatra: Police arrested two drug peddlers and recovered 87 kg of poppy pods from them on Thursday.
Simaria sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Ashok Priyadarshi said the action was taken following a tip-off received by Chatra superintendent of police (SP) post which a team was formed. Those arrested were identified as Prakash Yadav, resident of Tilaiya village under Vashishthanagar Jori police station area, and Kallu Yadav aka Karu Yadav, a resident of Dudhori village of Sadar police station area, he added.
The raid team comprised policemen of Kunda police station led by Priyadarshi. They started a vehicle checking drive near Chiloi Mor located on Ichak-Chiloi road under the jurisdiction of Kunda police station. Three smugglers seen on bikes, were apprehended by police but one of them escaped.
Sources said villagers in Chatra are not only growing poppy but making opium and brown sugar from it.
Many interstate gangs are active in the district encouraging villagers to take up this illegal business. But regular police action has resulted in arrest of many smugglers beside recovery of opium, brown sugar, and poppy pods.