Police in Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, have successfully dismantled an illegal opium cultivation operation, seizing a significant quantity of the contraband and apprehending suspects, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat drug-related crime in the region.
An illegal opium cultivation operation was busted on Wednesday with seizure of more than 12 kilograms of the contraband, police said.
Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of the Special Operations Group (SOG) and local police raided a field in Dhangar Sarai Chivlaha village, about 30 kilometres from the district headquarters, and exposed the illicit cultivation, they said.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Patti Circle) Manoj Kumar Singh Raghuvanshi said the field is allegedly owned by Gaurav Singh.
The team seized more than 12 kilograms of illegal opium, valued in lakhs of rupees, from the spot.
Two individuals were taken into custody and are being interrogated in connection with the case, the officer said.