Cash Toss, High-Speed Chase and Gunfire: Punjab Drug Smuggler Held After Dramatic Sonbhadra Encounter
A dramatic early-morning police operation in Uttar Pradesh’s Sonbhadra district ended with the arrest of an alleged Punjab-based drug smuggler after a two-hour chase involving flying currency notes, vehicle ramming, and an armed encounter.
According to police, the suspect and his accomplice attempted to evade capture by throwing bundles of ₹100 notes from their speeding car to distract pursuing officers. Despite the unusual tactic, teams from the Special Operations Group (SOG), Robertsganj, and Chopan police continued the pursuit.
The chase intensified when the suspects allegedly rammed their vehicle into a police car, damaging it. At a crucial moment, local resident Pradeep Kumar Modanwal stepped forward and offered his personal vehicle to the police, allowing officers to continue the operation without delay.
As police closed in near the Viranjua area, the suspects reportedly opened fire and attempted to flee on foot. During the exchange, one accused, identified as 27-year-old Prince from Ludhiana, Punjab, sustained a leg injury and was arrested, while another suspect escaped under the cover of darkness.
Police recovered 3 kg of opium, 225 kg of doda (raw opium), ₹50,000 in cash, a luxury vehicle, and a country-made pistol with cartridges. The seized narcotics and other items are valued at nearly ₹58.75 lakh.
During questioning, Prince allegedly revealed that the drugs had been sourced from Jharkhand and were being transported to Punjab for distribution. Authorities have launched a search operation to track down the absconding accomplice and are coordinating with police forces in multiple states to investigate the gang’s network and criminal background.
In recognition of his assistance, local resident Pradeep Kumar Modanwal has been awarded ₹10,000, while the SOG team has been rewarded ₹20,000 for the successful operation.
News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
