Uttarakhand Police launched a large-scale crackdown on the drug mafia in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, arresting 25 smugglers and sending shockwaves through the narcotics underworld. The meticulously planned raid, executed by a 300-member police force under Udham Singh Nagar SSP Manikant Mishra, targeted Agraspur village in Fatehganj West, a known hub for drug trafficking into Uttarakhand.
The operation, carried out in utmost secrecy, saw police personnel storm Agraspur village in the dead of night, taking the residents—and the drug syndicate—completely by surprise. The police surrounded the entire village, searched multiple houses, and apprehended 25 drug smugglers before whisking them away to Uttarakhand for interrogation.
SSP Mishra, who led the raid, emphasised the operation’s significance in dismantling the drug supply network. “This was not just an arrest drive. This was a war on the mafia that is poisoning our youth. More names have emerged during interrogation, and we will not stop until every last link in this chain is severed,” he asserted.
The audacious operation has, however, sparked controversy. Bareilly SSP Anurag Arya criticised Uttarakhand Police for conducting the raid without prior coordination with the local authorities. “This was a Muslim-majority village, and the raid was conducted during Sehri. Any untoward incident could have happened. This kind of unilateral action, especially during sensitive times, could have serious consequences,” Arya stated, raising concerns about law enforcement protocols and community sensitivities.
Despite the criticism, Uttarakhand Police remain resolute. “Our goal is clear—Uttarakhand will be drug-free by 2025, as per Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s vision. No political or administrative hurdle will deter us from this mission,” said a senior officer involved in the raid.
The raid has exposed Bareilly’s entrenched role as a key supplier of narcotics to Uttarakhand. Investigators confirmed that drugs smuggled from other states were being funneled into Uttarakhand through networks operating in Bareilly. “The entire drug ecosystem in the region is under our radar. This is just the beginning,” said SP Crime Niharika Tomar.
This was not the first instance of Uttarakhand Police’s aggressive stance against the narcotics trade. In recent months, they have intensified anti-drug operations, even resorting to shooting smugglers in the legs during encounters.
With 25 smugglers now in custody, the interrogation process is expected to unearth deeper connections within the narcotics trade. Authorities claim that the arrested individuals have already disclosed critical information, and more arrests are imminent. “This is a message to every drug dealer polluting our state—we are coming for you,” declared SSP Mishra.
