Heroin haul: Manali police crack down on smuggling racket

In a major success against drug trafficking, the Manali police have arrested the alleged kingpin of a heroin smuggling racket from the Volvo bus stand in Manali. The accused, Jitender Singh (32), a resident of Jind district in Haryana, had been operating a narcotics supply chain in the region for some time.

According to Manali Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) KD Sharma, the arrest took place just as Jitender was attempting to flee the area. His capture follows a covert operation carried out by the police on June 27 in Chachoga village near Aleo, where two young men—also from Jind—were caught with 105.62 grams of heroin.

“The investigation revealed that the two arrested men were acting as couriers, delivering the consignment to Manali on instructions from Jitender,” said DSP Sharma. Acting on this lead, police launched a targeted manhunt for Jitender, closely monitoring his movements until his arrest.

Authorities believe the arrest could unravel a larger drug distribution network active in and around Manali. “We suspect Jitender is part of a broader nexus of traffickers. His interrogation is underway, and we expect it will lead us to more suppliers and customers involved in the trade,” the DSP added.

The police have intensified their crackdown on drug trafficking, especially in tourist-centric areas like Manali, which have witnessed rising concerns over substance abuse. Officials reiterated their commitment to making the region safer for both residents and visitors by taking strict action against narcotics-related crimes.

Himachal Tribune