In a dramatic late-night operation that seemed straight out of a crime thriller, Uttar Pradesh Police arrested a suspected drug trafficker after a two-hour high-speed chase, flying currency notes, and an exchange of gunfire in Sonbhadra district. The accused, identified as Prince, a resident of Ludhiana in Punjab, was injured in the leg during the encounter and later taken into custody, while his accomplice managed to escape.
The incident unfolded during the intervening night of Sunday and Monday when a joint team of the Special Operations Group (SOG), Robertsganj Police, and Chopan Police was conducting routine vehicle checks. Police attempted to stop a Honda City car, but the occupants ignored the signal and sped away, triggering a pursuit across the district.
As the chase intensified, the suspects repeatedly rammed their vehicle into police vehicles in an effort to escape. When officers continued to close in, the occupants resorted to an unusual tactic — throwing bundles of ₹100 notes out of the car windows to distract pursuing policemen and create confusion on the road. However, the officers remained focused and continued the chase.
The pursuit nearly came to a halt after the police vehicle was damaged during the chase. At that critical moment, a local resident, Pradeep Kumar Modanwal, stepped in and offered his personal car to the police team, allowing officers to continue tracking the smugglers. Authorities later praised his assistance and announced a cash reward for his role in the operation.
The chase finally ended in the Chopan area when police teams surrounded the suspects' vehicle. According to officials, the accused then opened fire on the police personnel. The police retaliated, and Prince sustained a bullet injury to his leg before being arrested. His accomplice fled into the darkness, prompting an ongoing search operation.
A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 3 kilograms of opium, 225 kilograms of poppy husk, ₹50,000 in cash, a country-made pistol, and cartridges. Officials estimated the total value of the seized narcotics and other recoveries at nearly ₹59 lakh. Investigators believe the contraband was being transported from Jharkhand to Punjab for distribution.
Police are now probing the wider network behind the trafficking operation and have launched efforts to trace the absconding accomplice. Authorities described the arrest as a significant breakthrough in their crackdown on interstate drug smuggling.
