Jharkhand Police Seize 716 kg of ‘Doda’ in Major Narcotics Crackdown

Ranchi/Palamu, March 31: Jharkhand Police seized over 700 kg of illicit ‘doda’—the raw material for opium—during coordinated raids across Ranchi and Palamu on Tuesday. Along with the contraband, officers arrested three alleged smugglers and recovered a vehicle and a stash of cash.

The seizures highlight an intensified anti-narcotics drive currently sweeping the state.

Midnight Interception in Palamu

Acting on a tip-off received by Superintendent of Police Reeshma Ramesan, a special team led by DSP Rajiv Ranjan launched a late-night operation in the Manatu police station area. At approximately 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, officers intercepted an SUV during a checkpoint near the police station gate.

A search of the vehicle uncovered 216 kg of doda. Police arrested two individuals on the spot: Sanjeev Sharma of Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, and Nizamuddin Rain of Garhwa. Officials estimate the illegal market value of the seized contraband at approximately ₹35 lakh.

During interrogation, the accused admitted they sourced the consignment from the Lawalong and Pratappur areas of Chatra. They intended to transport the narcotics to Uttar Pradesh for high-profit sales, confirming the existence of an inter-state trafficking network.

Ranchi Raid Uncovers 500 kg

In a separate operation, Ranchi police raided a house in the Namkum area following specific intelligence regarding narcotics storage. The raid yielded approximately 500 kg of doda and over ₹2 lakh in cash. Authorities arrested one person in connection with the case and are currently conducting questioning.

Expanding the Investigation

Police are now working to trace the entire supply chain and dismantle the larger trade network. Investigators are specifically probing the potential involvement of “white-collar” operatives linked to the racket.

Officials noted that one of the accused, Nizamuddin Rain, is a repeat offender with prior cases registered against him under the NDPS Act.