Taking action against drug trafficking in the region adjacent to the India-Nepal border, the Bara police have busted an organised gang. The police recovered 2 kg and 24 grams of opium from a car bearing an Indian registration number in the Naktuwa area of Prasauni Rural Municipality Ward No. 1 and arrested three individuals from the Parsa district.
The Nepal Police is actively investigating the Raxaul and Motihari connections of these drug traffickers. Furthermore, this operation indicates that smugglers are now carrying out their illegal trade under the guise of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
The arrested accused include 32-year-old Jawad Ahmed, a resident of Birgunj Metropolitan City-11; 38-year-old Nilesh Patel Kurmi, a resident of Bahudarmai Municipality-7 and 48-year-old Sheshnath Chaurasia, a resident of Bindwasini Rural Municipality Ward No. 2.
Operating Under The Name of 'Hope Alive Charity Foundation'
According to the police, a joint team from the Area Police Office, Prasauni, and the Narcotics Control Bureau Branch Office, Parsa, intercepted and searched a car bearing the Indian registration number BR-01 CL-6079, which was heading from the Patanjali area toward Naktuwa village.
During the search, opium hidden in black plastic was recovered from above the rear seat of the car. Following the recovery, all three individuals, including the driver, were taken into custody on the spot.
The District Police Office, Bara, stated that a preliminary investigation has revealed that one of the arrested accused, Jawad Ahmed, is associated with an NGO named "Hope Alive Charity Foundation," located in Birgunj, Parsa district, Nepal, near Raxaul.
Probe Into Black Money Intensified
The police suspect that this organisation was being used to launder black money earned from drug trafficking. The police have also found evidence suggesting that the seized car was being used for the NGO's activities.
Police sources state that the accused had been operating as an organised gang involved in the drug trade for a long time, and the NGO was being used as a front for this syndicate. However, these facts can only be officially confirmed after a detailed investigation.
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This incident has raised serious questions regarding the continuously increasing illegal drug trade in the border areas. The police have registered a case against the detained accused under the Narcotic Drugs Act and have intensified the investigation to trace other individuals connected to the network.