Malda Morphine Haul: Four Arrested in Interstate Smuggling Case

Four key suspects have been arrested after West Bengal Police's Special Task Force seized about 2.688 kilograms of banned morphine from a vehicle in Malda district, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Sunday.

The seizure took place on National Highway 12 near Madhughat in Kaliachak. The STF team, acting on alert, stopped the vehicle and recovered the contraband, the Chief Minister said in a social media statement.

The arrested individuals are linked to an interstate drug trafficking racket, according to the statement. A special case has been registered to dismantle the entire network.

In his message, Adhikari congratulated the police and STF officers for their prompt, coordinated action and steadfast devotion to duty. He also warned drug traffickers, gangs and syndicate operators that strict measures would follow.

The Chief Minister said the government's zero-tolerance approach to drug trafficking is intended to protect young people and to strengthen the collective effort under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.

Adhikari, who became West Bengal's ninth Chief Minister after the assembly elections earlier this year, has been outspoken against organised drug trafficking gangs and illegal liquor dens across the state. He has argued that sustained action against them is vital to checking other social evils, particularly crimes against women.

State police have made several arrests and raids in recent months. Multiple drug trafficking gangs have been exposed and several illegal liquor dens have been demolished in different parts of West Bengal. The Chief Minister has appreciated each such achievement, saying it has strengthened police morale in the fight against narcotics.