In a significant and meticulously planned operation, Uttarakhand Police carried out a large-scale crackdown on the drug mafia operating in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, leading to the arrest of 25 individuals involved in drug smuggling. This high-stakes raid, executed in utmost secrecy, sent shockwaves through the narcotics underworld, disrupting a major trafficking network supplying drugs to Uttarakhand.
The dramatic operation was spearheaded by Udham Singh Nagar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Manikant Mishra. A 300-member police force, consisting of officers from different units, was assembled for the mission. Their target was Agraspur village, located in Fatehganj West, a place long suspected of being a hub for drug smuggling activities. Intelligence reports had suggested that this village played a pivotal role in trafficking narcotics into Uttarakhand, prompting the authorities to take decisive action.
Midnight Operation Takes Drug Syndicate by Surprise
The operation was carried out under a veil of secrecy, ensuring that no information leaked before the raid. In the dead of night, police personnel stormed the village, catching both the residents and the drug syndicate completely off guard.
To ensure maximum effectiveness, security teams strategically cordoned off the entire area, preventing anyone from escaping. Police officers then conducted extensive searches of multiple houses, looking for evidence of drug smuggling. Within a short span of time, they successfully apprehended 25 drug smugglers, who were then taken into custody and transported to Uttarakhand for further questioning and investigation.
SSP Mishra Declares War Against Drug Mafia
Following the operation, SSP Manikant Mishra emphasized the significance of this mission, stating that it was not just a routine arrest drive, but rather a declaration of war against the powerful drug syndicates poisoning the youth of Uttarakhand.
“This was not just an operation to arrest criminals; it was a mission to dismantle the entire drug network that is threatening the future of our youth.
More names have surfaced during interrogation, and we will not stop until every last link in this chain is exposed and eliminated,” said SSP Mishra.
His strong remarks signaled Uttarakhand Police’s unwavering commitment to eradicating the drug menace from the state, making it clear that this was only the beginning of a much larger campaign.
Despite the success of the operation, the raid has sparked controversy, particularly due to the lack of coordination between Uttarakhand and Bareilly Police. Bareilly SSP Anurag Arya publicly criticized the way the raid was conducted, stating that Uttarakhand Police did not inform local authorities beforehand.
He also raised concerns about the timing and location of the raid.
“This was a Muslim-majority village, and the raid was conducted during Sehri (pre-dawn meal during Ramadan).
Any untoward incident could have occurred, which could have led to unnecessary tensions.
Such unilateral actions, especially during sensitive times, can have serious repercussions,” remarked SSP Arya.
His statement highlights the larger issue of law enforcement agencies conducting operations across state borders without prior coordination, potentially creating jurisdictional conflicts.
Uttarakhand Police Remains Firm on Anti-Drug Mission
Despite the criticism, Uttarakhand Police remains steadfast in its determination to make the state drug-free by 2025, as per the vision of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
A senior police officer, involved in the operation, responded to the backlash by reaffirming the department’s commitment to its mission:
“Our objective is clear—Uttarakhand will be a drug-free state by 2025.
We will not allow any political or administrative hurdles to stand in our way.
This is about protecting our youth, and we will take every necessary step to eliminate this menace,” said the officer.
Bareilly Identified as a Major Drug Supply Hub
The successful raid has exposed Bareilly’s deep-rooted role in the narcotics supply chain feeding into Uttarakhand. Investigators confirmed that drugs smuggled from other states were being funneled into Uttarakhand via networks based in Bareilly.
“The entire drug ecosystem operating in this region is under our radar.
This was just the first phase—more operations will follow,” stated SP Crime Niharika Tomar.
This was not the first time Uttarakhand Police had launched a forceful attack on drug networks. In recent months, the department has significantly intensified its anti-drug operations, even resorting to encounters, where drug smugglers were shot in the legs to prevent them from escaping.
With 25 traffickers now behind bars, authorities are confident that crucial intelligence will be gathered during interrogations, leading to further arrests.
“The individuals we have arrested are already revealing critical details about the drug mafia’s operations.
We are expecting to uncover more high-level connections in the coming days.
This is a clear message to every drug trafficker in the country—we are coming for you,” declared SSP Mishra.
The high-impact operation in Bareilly has set the stage for further crackdowns in the coming weeks. Police officials have confirmed that more names have emerged during questioning, and the hunt is on for other key figures involved in the narcotics trade.
The ultimate goal is to completely dismantle the drug supply network that has been fueling addiction in Uttarakhand. With authorities doubling down on their efforts, this is just the beginning of what promises to be a relentless campaign against the drug mafia.