Inter-state drug racket: 9 more held by Shimla cops

Shimla: The Shimla police have arrested nine more accused linked to the inter-state drug racket run by kingpin Shahi Mahatma of Rohru.The police have arrested a total 52 accused involved in this drug syndicate which was active mainly in Rohru-Chirgaon areas for the past three to four years involving drug money of nearly Rs 8 crore. The police had earlier on Sept 18, arrested a resident of Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir, Mudasir Ahmed Mochi, with 468 grams heroin, at Kharapathar in Shimla district, while he was on his way to deliver the consignment to Mahatma. An FIR in this case was registered under section 21 of the narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (NDPS) Act. During the investigation, nine more accused had come to fore, who have now been arrested. The arrested are Balwan Singh (38), Pushkar Chauhan (35), Vivek Kumar (30), Anshul Negi (27), Vikas Kumar (30), Ajay Kumar (31), Anuj Chauhan (37), Abhishek, and Harshit Chauhan, all from different villages of Rohru and Chirgaon. Mahatma had already been arrested by the police.

Police bust drug syndicate with 5 arrests

Five drug traffickers, including two from Nepal, were arrested with 15.67 kg of charas worth Rs 3 crore. The group operated across Nepal, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi-NCR. The operation started on Nov 20, leading to the arrest of key members Prem Thapa, Mohammad Jameel, Ganga Gurung Thapa, Ankit Budha, and Pradeep Kumar.

Pakistan police arrest journalist on alleged terrorism, drugs case

Prominent Pakistani journalist Matiullah Jan was arrested on terrorism and narcotics charges in Islamabad after investigating civilian deaths in a crackdown on former PM Imran Khan's supporters. Jan was abducted from a hospital along with another journalist, raising concerns among human rights groups and the Committee to Protect Journalists, who demand his immediate release.

Four drug peddlers arrested

Police in Coimbatore arrested four drug peddlers and seized 150 pills and four syringes from them at Saramedu. Habitual offenders Abbas, Mani, Vishnu, and Abdul Samad were apprehended while patrolling near New Boyas Garden Junction. The arrests follow increased surveillance after ten people were previously detained with 500 pills in Karumbukadai and Saramedu areas.