Crackdown on drug trade, 2 sisters held

Tribune News Service

Shimla, Updated At : 07:18 AM Oct 24, 2024 IST

Photo for representational purpose only. - File photo

In a significant operation against the illicit drug trade, the Shimla police have arrested two sisters, Mehak Negi (24) and Simran Negi (22), for their involvement in the Ranjan syndicate, a local drug network. The two women, residents of Padshal village in Kotkhai Tehsil, were caught peddling heroin (locally known as "chitta") under the direction of Ranjan Sharma, the syndicate's kingpin.

Shimla SP Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi confirmed the arrests stating that a backward investigation led to the discovery of the sisters’ involvement in the drug trade. Both were not only sellers but also consumers of the illicit substance. They have been placed in judicial custody following their court appearance.

This arrest brings the total number of individuals apprehended in connection with the Ranjan syndicate to 11, including Ranjan himself, who was arrested in September. The syndicate primarily operated in Shimla district’s Theog and Kotkhai areas, where drugs were smuggled in from Delhi by Kamal Acharya, a known associate of Ranjan. Acharya would transport small quantities of heroin to Kotkhai for distribution.

This is the third major drug ring to be dismantled in Shimla this year. In September, police also arrested Shashi Negi, alias Shahi Mahatma, who was involved in interstate drug trafficking along with 25 of his associates. Earlier in June, another significant bust led to the arrest of Ravi Giri, a kingpin from Narkanda with ties to Nepal, marking a continued effort by local law enforcement to curb drug operations in the district.