Ranchi: In a major anti-narcotics operation, police in Jharkhand have seized brown sugar worth around ₹20 lakh from two districts and arrested eight people in connection with the illegal drug network, officials said on Thursday.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, police teams conducted coordinated raids in multiple locations across the districts. During the operation, a significant quantity of brown sugar was recovered, along with cash, mobile phones, and other materials suspected to be used in drug trafficking activities.
Officials said the arrested individuals are believed to be part of an inter-district supply chain involved in the distribution of narcotics in Jharkhand and nearby regions. Preliminary investigation suggests that the group was sourcing the contraband from outside the state and circulating it through local networks targeting urban and semi-urban areas.
Police sources indicated that the operation was carried out after weeks of surveillance and technical tracking of suspected drug peddlers. Several locations were monitored before the raids were executed simultaneously to prevent suspects from escaping or destroying evidence.
The seized narcotics have been sent for forensic examination, while interrogation of the accused is underway to identify the wider supply chain, including suppliers, financiers, and possible interstate links. Investigators are also examining digital devices recovered during the raids for communication records and transaction details.
Senior police officials said the crackdown is part of an ongoing drive against drug trafficking in Jharkhand, where authorities have intensified efforts to dismantle networks involved in the illegal drug trade. They added that strict action will be taken against all individuals linked to the case.
Local residents have expressed concern over the rising circulation of narcotics in certain pockets, prompting authorities to increase patrolling and community awareness programmes. Police have also urged citizens to report suspicious activities to help curb the drug menace.
Further arrests are likely as the investigation expands, officials said, adding that efforts are being made to trace the backward and forward linkages of the seized consignment.
The operation marks another significant seizure in the state’s anti-drug campaign, highlighting continued enforcement pressure on illegal narcotics networks operating across district borders.
