Daijiworld Media Network - Patna

Patna, Nov 3 : In a major crackdown under 'Operation Neelkanth', a joint team of the Bihar Police, State Narcotics Control Bureau, and the Prohibition Department arrested three persons and seized 119.30 grams of contraband, three mobile phones, and Rs 12.33 lac in cash during a raid in the Bidupur police station area on Monday night.

The raid was executed at a house in Baguliya Gachhi village under Mail Panchayat following specific intelligence inputs regarding illegal drug activities in the area. Acting on the tip-off, security forces cordoned off the premises and conducted an intensive search operation.

During the search, officers recovered approximately 119.30 grams of suspected narcotics, preliminary details of which indicate a combination of around 56 grams of brown sugar and 50 grams of smack. In addition to the contraband, three mobile phones and cash totaling Rs 12,33,160 were confiscated from the scene. Investigating officers suspect that the cash was generated through the illegal drug trade.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Pawan Thakur, his son Neeraj Kumar, and Neeraj’s wife, Bhanu Kumari.

All three suspects are undergoing sustained interrogation to determine the source of the contraband and cash, as well as their specific roles in the procurement, sale, and distribution network. Investigators are actively probing potential local links, financial transactions, and the broader supply chain linked to the accused.

Police records further revealed that one of the accused, Neeraj Kumar, is a named suspect in a murder case that took place in Kanchanpur village approximately two years ago.

An FIR has been registered at the Bidupur police station, and further legal proceedings are underway. The raid was conducted as part of a district-wide anti-narcotics campaign initiated under the direction of Vaishali's Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) to dismantle illicit drug networks operating in the region.