Raipur Police seize 51.85 grams of heroin near Sarona Railway Station; investigation expands to interstate trafficking routes involving Punjab, Odisha, Maharashtra and Delhi.
Raipur | Crime Desk
(Economy India): In a major crackdown on interstate narcotics trafficking, Raipur Police on Wednesday evening arrested a 37-year-old man from Punjab and seized heroin worth ₹5.18 lakh from his possession. The accused, identified as Baghel Singh, a resident of Tarn Taran district in Punjab, was caught allegedly waiting for customers near the Sarona Railway Station Road, under the Amanaka police station limits.
According to officials, the arrest is part of an ongoing effort to dismantle drug supply chains operating across Raipur and neighbouring districts.
The Operation: How Police Nabbed the Suspect
Police received a specific tip-off that a man was loitering near JP Garden, on the approach road to Sarona Railway Station, and was carrying heroin intended for sale. Acting swiftly on the information, an Amanaka police team conducted surveillance, cordoned off the area and apprehended the suspect.
During the search, officers recovered a white plastic packet hidden inside the accused’s bag. Forensic weighing confirmed that the packet contained 51.85 grams of heroin (locally known as ‘chitta’). The narcotics were sealed on the spot as per NDPS protocol.
Accused Could Not Produce Any Valid Authorization
During questioning, the accused failed to provide any licence, document, or justification for carrying narcotics. Police also seized his mobile phone, which they believe contains critical evidence related to supplier-contact points, customer details and interstate linkages.
The digital examination will help police map the forward linkage (buyers) and backward linkage (suppliers) to establish the full scope of the network.
Case Registered Under NDPS Act
A case has been registered under Section 21(B) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, pertaining to possession of intermediate quantity of heroin. Police officials revealed that preliminary investigation suggests the accused transported heroin from Punjab to Raipur with the intention of distributing it across the city.
Further interrogation is underway to identify his handlers, financiers and local associates.
Raipur’s Expanding Drug Map: What Police Have Found So Far
The arrest adds to a growing list of actions taken by Raipur Police as part of its anti-narcotics campaign. Between 2025 and now, the city police have arrested over 550 drug peddlers, linked to the supply and sale of substances including:
- Ganja
- Heroin (Chitta)
- MDMA
- LSD
- OG (foreign hybrid cannabis)
- Opium
- Narcotic tablets
- Cough syrups used as intoxicants
Interrogations over the past months have revealed a well-organised interstate supply chain, which functions as follows:
Supply Routes Identified
- Odisha → Raipur : Major source of ganja
- Punjab–Haryana → Raipur : Heroin and synthetic drugs
- Delhi → Raipur : LSD, MDMA and high-potency party drugs
- Maharashtra → Raipur : Chemical drugs and premium cannabis
These substances are then distributed within Raipur and transported to other districts and states through rented vehicles, courier channels, passenger trains and coded mobile networks.
Drug Sales in Private Parties Through Code Words
Police investigations have consistently found that narcotics are being trafficked into:
- Private farmhouse parties
- High-end hotels
- Pubs and lounges in Raipur
Dealers frequently use code words, encrypted chats and digital payments to avoid detection. Such patterns have previously surfaced in multiple raids across the city.
What Happens Next?
Raipur Police have intensified efforts to trace the larger syndicate connected to the accused. Teams are examining call records, financial transactions and travel history to determine whether the detainee is part of a bigger Punjab–Chhattisgarh trafficking network.
Officials say more arrests are expected in the coming days.
(Economy India)
