Jaisalmer: Balotra police seized 228 kg of illegal poppy husk from an SUV during a late-night operation Sunday, arresting two alleged drug smugglers and detaining two others for questioning. Police also recovered a country-made pistol, one live cartridge, two empty cartridges and 14 fake vehicle number plates.The SUV allegedly used to transport the contraband and a Swift car suspected to have served as an escort vehicle were also seized.SP Ramesh said the operation was launched on the basis of intelligence inputs from the district Special Team (DST), the District Crime Record Bureau (DCRB) and local informers.Police intercepted the SUV bearing a Maharashtra registration number near Majal village, but the driver ignored signals to stop and sped towards a dirt track. During the chase, the SUV’s front-left tyre burst, forcing the vehicle to stop. The two occupants abandoned the SUV and fled into nearby babul bushes.Police alleged that one of the accused, Shankarlal, fired at constable Shambhu Ram with a country-made pistol while attempting to escape. The constable escaped unhurt, continued the chase and overpowered the accused, recovering the loaded weapon. The second accused, Rohit, was arrested shortly afterwards.Shankarlal is a resident of Sonadi village in Barmer district, while Rohit is from Punasa village in Jalore district. Police recovered the pistol, a magazine and a live cartridge from Shankarlal.A search of the SUV led to the recovery of poppy husk. Police also seized the fake vehicle registration plates, which they suspect were used to frequently change the vehicle’s identity and evade detection. Investigators believe the smugglers also used multiple FASTag accounts to avoid surveillance at toll plazas and checkpoints.An FIR has been registered at Samdari police station, and investigation is underway to trace the trafficking network and establish the involvement of other associates.
