Drugs worth over Rs 26 cr seized during 2nd Covid wave in Uttarakhand, cops term it 'highest in state's history'

DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand police seized drugs worth Rs 26.4 crore, which cops termed as "the highest seizure in the state's history", during the devastating second wave of Covid-19 pandemic.
According to the data shared by cops, the market value of drugs recovered in 2021 was more than double of the previous year when drugs worth Rs 12.9 crore were seized, with 1,449 arrests under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.In 2022, drugs worth Rs 22.7 crore were seized and 1,703 arrests were made as per cops.

A police officer privy to the information, told TOI that perpetrators "tried to traffic maximum drugs thinking police would largely be involved in Covid-19 management and won't be focusing on them."
"In order to evade police dragnet, traffickers also used ambulances for transporting drugs and involved women at the forefront. However, their plans fell flat on their face due to increased presence of police on ground during the pandemic which resulted in the biggest-ever drug haul," the official said.
As per cops, among the major drugs seized in 2021 were hashish (281.8 kg), smack (18.1 kg), marijuana (1,612 kg), opium husk (221 kg), heroin (1.22 kg), opioids (1,18,361) and injectives (9,992).
The data also revealed that of all the 13 districts, Udham Singh Nagar recorded the maximum seizure of drugs worth Rs 8.9 crore, followed by Dehradun (Rs 8.04 crore) and Haridwar (Rs 5.28 crore).
In terms of specific drugs, Dehradun reported the biggest seizure of smack (5.11 kg), Haridwar reported maximum opioid seizure (1,04,653) and US Nagar maximum opium seizure (13.7kg).
Deputy inspector general of police (STF), Senthil Avoodai Krishna Raj S, said, "We have always remained vigilant against drug menace in the state and taken prompt action based on the inputs from informers. We will continue to be on our toes."