Siliguri: In a joint operation, the Special Task Force (STF) and Government Railway Police foiled an attempt to transport huge amount of banned narcotics and cash through Rajdhani Express. Heroin worth Rs 20 crore and Rs 62 lakhs cash were seized and three persons were arrested. The trio was identified as Manipur residents. It includes Mohammad Azad Khan, a resident of Thoubal, Lelijan Begum, a resident of Lilong and Baseimayum Iyasin, a resident of Imphal.
Sudip Bhattacharya, deputy superintendent of police of STF's north Bengal unit, said that heroin worth Rs 20 crore and Rs 62 lakhs cash were seized from them. "We are trying to trace whether more persons are involved in the racket or not. They will be produced at Jalpaiguri court where we will ask for 14 days remand."
Police sources said that the Dibrugarh- Delhi Rajdhani Express reached New Jalpaiguri station on Wednesday afternoon. The STF sleuths acted on a tip-off in strengthening surveillance. Initially, the two women were arrested and 3.87 kilograms of heroin, cash worth Rs 62 lakhs were recovered from them. Their interrogation led to the arrest of the third accused. It was revealed that the drugs and cash were to be delivered in New Delhi. Sources said the accused deliberately chose Rajadhani Express to transport the consignments to hoodwink police.
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Recently, two persons with banned narcotics were arrested by police from Tenzing Norgay bus depot. As per sources, police is now keen on tracing whether railway routes are being used for drug trafficking.
