Malda, 21 October (H.S.): In a major operation, the police from Gajol police station area of Malda district seized approximately 1.7 kilograms of suspected brown sugar and raw materials used for making narcotics. The drug is estimated to be worth approximately ₹1.5 crore in the international market.

The incident occurred on Monday night when, acting on a tip-off, the police Gajol police station raided Brajavita area of Pandua Gram Panchayat. During the raid, the police detained six suspects. The arrested accused have been identified as Sanjay Mandal (34) and Prashant Mandal (24), residents of Ganganarayanpur; Pandav Mandal (44) and Paban Mandal (24), residents of Ujiarpur; and Dilip Mandal (46) and Fulchand Mandal (32), residents of Modapur.

During a search conducted in the presence of an executive magistrate, brown sugar and raw materials used for making narcotics were recovered from Fulchand Mandal's home, hidden in polythene and plastic bags under a pillow. Processing equipment was also seized from the scene.

According to police sources, efforts are now underway to shift drug production from Kaliachak to areas like Gajol and Pukhuria. The geographical location of these areas and the presence of large mango orchards resemble Kaliachak, making it easier for smugglers to hide and operate.

The police have registered a case against all the accused and are interrogating them. Preliminary investigations indicate that this gang has long been active in the illegal smuggling and manufacturing of drugs in the border areas.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey