![Officers of Excise Department and NCB talking to reporters after seizure of charas at Lakhanpur on Thursday. Officers of Excise Department and NCB talking to reporters after seizure of charas at Lakhanpur on Thursday.](https://cdndailyexcelsior.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/page5-222.jpg)
Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Oct 26: Foiling a major smuggling bid the alert sleuths of Excise Department and Narcotics Control Bureau Zonal Unit Jammu today by seizing 30 kgs and 600 grams of charas at Toll Post Lakhanpur which was being smuggled outside the State.
The charas was carried in a vehicle bearing registration number DL1GC-4890 loaded with fresh fruit consigned by M/s Aziz Fruit Company of Turkawangan, Shopina, Kashmir and Mir Bros Orchards, R/o Turkawangan, Shopian, Kashmir to M/s Gian Fruit Company, C=59-60, New Sabzi Mandi, Azadpur, Delhi (as per Challan). The charas was hidden in the toll box of the truck.
On physical checking by the joint team of officers/officials of Toll Post Lakhanpur and NCB the truck was found carrying 30 kgs 600 gms of charas hidden in the Tool Box. The vehicle along with fresh fruit boxes and contraband item (charas) has been seized by the Narcotics Control Bureau, Zonal Unit Jammu for further investigation and action under NDPS Act.
The whole operation was conducted by the joint team headed by Excise & Taxation Officer, Sandeep Gupta in close coordination with ETOs V.S.Pawar, Ajay Bharti and Suraj Chander Singh and intelligence officers of Narcotics Department, Koushal Kumar and Deepak Kumar alongwith Excise Inspector, Dheeraj Kumar, Excise Sub-Inspectors, Manvinder Pal Singh and Surinder Singh Bagal, Narcotics Officers, Romesh Kumar, OTC, Rakesh Kumar, DEO, Vijay Kumar and Beer Singh, Havaldars, Rakesh Kumar, Sepoy, Harvinder Singh, Tilak Raj Ram Lal and Subash Chander Driver (Excise Department) under the direct supervision of Vishesh Paul Mahajan, Deputy Excise Commissioner, Toll Post Lakhanpur and Manoj Kumar, Zonal Director Narcotics Control Bureau, Zonal Unit Jammu.
The Excise Commissioner, J&K Government Javed Ahmad Khan appreciated the efforts of the Excise & Narcotics Department in detecting the contraband item and congratulated the team for successful prevention of smuggling bid and further enjoined upon them to work with more zeal and in coordination with other allied departments/ agencies.
In this regard, a case (Crime) No.10/2017, dated 25.10.2017 u/s 8/20/60 NDPS Act has been lodged by Narcotic Control Bureau, Zonal Unit Jammu and truck driver Mohd Altaf Bhat resident of Anantnag, Kashmir was far arrested . Manoj Kumar, Zonal Director Narcotics Control Bureau, Zonal unit Jammu said that some more arrests may take place after the interrogation of arrested person and the bureau is also verifying the consignee and consignor operating in Delhi or other parts of the country. He has ruled out any involvement in terror funding in this case so far. But the investigation is going on and the fact behind the smuggling also be disclosed after the completion of investigation.