Rampur Police Bust Interstate Sonu Gang, Arrest 11 Accused in Heroin Smuggling Case
Shimla, March 22 – In a significant breakthrough in the fight against drugs, the Rampur Police have successfully dismantled an interstate drug syndicate known as the Sonu Gang, which was involved in the smuggling of heroin. The police have arrested 11 individuals in connection with the operation, including key members of the gang. The investigation has unveiled suspicious transactions totaling Rs 88 lakh in the bank accounts of two of the main accused, with their assets valued at approximately Rs 9.22 lakh seized in the process.
The case began on March 3, when Rampur police intercepted a major drug trafficking operation. Authorities seized 26.68 grams of chitta (heroin) from two primary suspects, Sohan Lal, 25, from Karsog, and Geeta Shrestha, 25, from Ot, Mandi. The police also confiscated valuable items including jewelry and mobile phones worth approximately Rs 4.50 lakh from their possession. Additionally, their bank accounts were frozen, revealing deposits amounting to Rs 4,72,537.
Suspicious Financial Transactions Under Investigation
Further investigation into the bank records of the accused revealed concerning patterns of financial transactions. According to the police, suspicious transactions worth nearly Rs 88 lakh had occurred in the accounts of the two main suspects. This raised alarms regarding the scale of the gang’s operations and their involvement in laundering money generated from illegal drug trade activities.
Prompted by these findings, the Rampur Police ramped up their efforts, leading to the arrest of an additional nine individuals connected to the syndicate. These individuals were apprehended on March 21, and their roles in the heroin smuggling operation are currently being investigated.
The additional accused arrested include: Adital Rathore (35) from Paljara, Rampur; Gagan (31) from Main Bazaar, Rampur; Naveen Chauhan (26) from Kalmog, Nankhari; Rajan Mehta (33) from Lalan, Nankhari; Mohit Agarwal (32) from Sheesh Mahal, Rampur; Ujjwal Pandit (30) from Main Bazaar, Rampur; Sanjeev Kumar (30) from Lalsa, Dansa, Rampur; Kushal Chauhan (21) from Karali, Dansa, Rampur; and Rajkumar (31) from Matrevad, Nogali, Rampur.
Broader Network of Drug Traffickers
As the investigation unfolds, the police have identified a broader network of drug traffickers linked to the Sonu Gang. Authorities suspect that between 60 to 70 individuals are part of this extensive drug trade network, and these suspects are currently being interrogated by the police. Rampur DSP Naresh Sharma confirmed that the police are actively pursuing these individuals, with a strong emphasis on dismantling the entire drug trafficking ring.
“This operation is just the beginning,” DSP Sharma stated. “We are committed to ensuring that everyone involved in the drug trade faces stringent legal action. Our team is continuing to track down other members of this criminal syndicate, and we will take decisive steps to rid our communities of this menace.”
The police also warned that anyone found involved in the illegal drug trade will face severe consequences, as they intensify efforts to curb the spread of narcotics in the region.
This crackdown by the Rampur Police is being hailed as a significant step in the ongoing fight against drug smuggling and trafficking in Himachal Pradesh. Authorities have urged residents to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to drug trafficking, ensuring that the region remains safe from the growing drug crisis.
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