New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in coordination with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and police of multiple states conducted a major crackdown against drug peddlers under ‘Operation Garuda’, officials said on Thursday, reported news agency PTI. During the crackdown the central and state agencies arrested 175 people in connection with the matter and seized huge quantities of narcotics, the news agency said.
On Thursday, the federal probe agency said that they have launched a multi phase 'Operation Garuda' to disrupt, degrade and dismantle drug networks with international linkages through rapid exchange of criminal intelligence on drug trafficking and coordinated law enforcement actions across international jurisdiction through Interpol, as per a report by news agency IANS.
A senior CBI official said that the global operation was initiated in close coordination with Interpol and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) for combating smuggling of illicit drugs and psychotropic substances, with special focus on the Indian Ocean Region.
"Drug trafficking networks with international linkages require law enforcement cooperation across international jurisdiction,” the official said, quoted by IANS.
"In Operation Garuda, CBI led a global operation to target drug networks with international footprints for action against handlers, operatives, production zones and support elements," the official said.
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The operation led to the registration of 127 cases by the CBI, NCB, and state police so far, the officials added, quoted by the news agency. Around 6,600 suspects were searched of which 175 persons including six absconders/proclaimed offenders were arrested.
Along with CBI and NCB police from eight States/Union Territories — Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Manipur — also participated in this operation.
The countrywide action saw searches being conducted in Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Manipur, officials said, adding the searches are still going on.
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Illicit drugs and psychotropic substances, including 5.125 kg heroin; 33.936 kg ganja, 3.29 kg charas, 1365 gm mephedrone, 33.80 smack, around 87 tablets, 122 injections and 87 syringes of Buprenorphine, 946 tablets Alprazolam, 105.997 Kg Tramadol, 10 gm Hash oil, 0.9 gm Ecstacy pills, 1.150 kg opium, 30 kg Poppy Husk, 1.437 kg intoxicant powder and 11,039 pills/capsules, were recovered.
(With input from agencies)