The Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) has busted an inter-state heroin trafficking network in two back-to-back operations near Lucknow under ‘Operation Black Hawk’, seizing 18.64 kg of crude heroin and arresting three suspects.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the operations were conducted by joint teams of the CBN’s Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh units based on intelligence inputs about the movement of drugs from the North-East to Lucknow.
Acting on the inputs, CBN teams laid a strategic cordon along the Sultanpur-Lucknow Highway during the intervening night of August 20 and 21.
On August 21, the teams intercepted an Assam-registered Hyundai Creta near Lucknow. The vehicle was initially found empty, while its occupants denied any involvement in drug trafficking.
However, officers became suspicious after questioning the occupants, who disclosed that the vehicle had been refuelled four times while covering around 500 km.
A physical examination of the fuel tank indicated a hollow acoustic anomaly. The vehicle was subsequently taken to the CBN office in Lucknow, where technical assistance was used to dismantle the fuel tank.
The search revealed a specially fabricated compartment containing 25 waterproof packages carrying 16.46 kg of crude heroin. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure.
In a separate operation, the CBN’s Uttar Pradesh Unit developed intelligence about a heavy truck carrying contraband along the Siliguri-Lucknow corridor.
CBN teams tracked the vehicle across multiple toll plazas before intercepting it near Barabanki.
A detailed search of the truck led to the recovery of 2.16 kg of crude heroin concealed inside a specially constructed secret chamber in the vehicle’s body frame. One suspect was arrested.
The total seizure from the two operations amounted to 18.64 kg of crude heroin. The two vehicles used for transporting the contraband were also impounded.
The CBN said the drugs originated from a North-Eastern state and were being trafficked for consumption in Uttar Pradesh.
All three accused have been booked under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
The agency said follow-up financial and logistical investigations were underway to identify the upstream suppliers in the North-East and dismantle the downstream distribution network.
