Continuing its rigorous campaign against interstate drug trafficking, the district police in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, have apprehended a new individual implicated in a drug trade network operating within the Rohru region. The arrest marks a further development in an ongoing investigation that has already seen multiple individuals taken into custody.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the latest arrestee has been identified as Manoj Thakur, also known as Sunny, aged 33. Thakur is a resident of Karalash village, located in the Rohru area of Shimla district.
According to details provided by the Shimla Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Gaurav Singh, the initial phase of the investigation began in March 2026. At that time, the district police successfully apprehended two individuals, identified as Sunil Puharta and Pinku Ram, who were found in possession of 53 grams of ‘chitta’, a colloquial term for heroin or a similar synthetic opioid, in Rohru. Following this seizure, a case was formally registered against them under the stringent provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, triggering a comprehensive inquiry.
SSP Gaurav Singh further elaborated that the investigative process involved meticulous analysis of digital and technical evidence. This detailed examination allowed the police to establish crucial backward and forward linkages within the suspected drug trafficking operation. These established connections directly implicated two individuals identified as key suppliers: Salman Haider, who resides in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, and Thomas Masih, a resident of Kala Afghana village in Gurdaspur.
The investigation, however, did not conclude with the apprehension of these individuals. The SSP stated that subsequent inquiries and further leads culminated in the arrest of Manoj Thakur. With this latest apprehension, the total number of accused taken into custody in connection with this specific case has now reached five. The district police have confirmed that the investigation remains active and is continuing to uncover further aspects of the alleged interstate drug trafficking network.
The operation underscores the persistent efforts by law enforcement agencies in Himachal Pradesh to dismantle drug trafficking rings that often extend beyond state borders, impacting communities and contributing to wider illicit drug trade challenges across India. The NDPS Act provides a robust legal framework for dealing with such offenses, empowering police to pursue complex investigations involving multiple jurisdictions and interconnected criminal activities.
Rohru, situated in the Shimla district, is part of a region that, like many others across the country, faces the challenge of drug abuse and trafficking. The success of such operations depends heavily on sophisticated investigative techniques, including cyber forensics and intelligence gathering, to trace the origins and distribution channels of narcotics. The police’s strategy of analyzing digital footprints and financial transactions has proven effective in identifying higher-level operatives within trafficking networks, moving beyond mere street-level arrests.
The involvement of individuals from different states, such as Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, in a network operating in Himachal Pradesh highlights the interstate nature of drug trafficking. This necessitates inter-agency cooperation and information sharing to effectively combat the problem. The ongoing investigation is expected to shed more light on the full extent of the network, including its supply chain and customer base.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
