Nagpur: In a major crackdown on inter-state narcotic trafficking, the Anti-Narcotics Squad of the Nagpur Rural Police has busted an organised opium smuggling network operating across states and arrested two accused, including a hotel businessman from Jharkhand.
Police seized 33.767 kg of opium (afeem), cash of Rs 23.35 lakh and other incriminating material during a raid in Simdega district of Jharkhand. The total value of the seized muddamal in the latest operation stands at Rs 1.92 crore.
According to police officials, the action was taken during the investigation of a narcotics case registered at Umred Police Station on May 20, 2026. Earlier, the Anti-Narcotics Squad had intercepted a truck driver near the Udasa Flyover on the Umred–Nagpur Road while conducting patrol operations within the Umred police limits.
During the initial operation, police seized 237.170 grams of opium worth Rs 1.18 lakh, an Android mobile phone worth Rs 15,000 and the vehicle used for transportation, taking the total seizure in the first action to Rs 33.31 lakh. Following the seizure, Umred Police registered Crime No. 498/2026 under Sections 8(a), 17(b) and 22 of the NDPS Act.
Considering the seriousness of the offence and possible inter-state links, Nagpur Rural Superintendent of Police Harsh A. Poddar and Additional Superintendent of Police Anil Mhaske formed a special investigation team and instructed officers to trace both the “forward link” and “backward link” of the supply chain. The probe focused on identifying the intended receivers of the narcotics as well as the original suppliers.
Acting on technical intelligence and confidential inputs gathered during the investigation, the police team travelled to Bhandartoli village in the Thetitangle area of Simdega district in Jharkhand. On May 25, 2026, police arrested Manishkumar Ambika Prasad (46), a hotel businessman and resident of Bhandartoli village, in connection with the case.
During the search of the accused’s residence, police recovered 33 kg 767 grams of opium valued at Rs 1.68 crore. Officers also seized Rs 23.35 lakh in cash, an electronic weighing machine, transparent plastic bags, rubber bands and other packing materials worth Rs 3,000, along with a mobile handset worth Rs 15,000.
Police said the cumulative seizure in Crime No. 498/2026 has now reached 34 kg 4 grams and 170 milligrams of opium, with the total value of seized muddamal touching Rs 2.25 crore.
The Nagpur Rural Police stated that further investigation is underway to identify other members of the organised narcotics syndicate and to uncover the wider trafficking network operating between Jharkhand and Maharashtra.
