Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Opium Cultivation in Chandigarh: Police arrests two including a nursery owner, 725 opium plants recovered
First every recovery of opium cultivation in Chandigarh
Harshabab Sidhu
Chandigarh, March 19, 2024: In a major breakthrough, Chandigarh police arrested two people including a nursery owner in opium cultivation under the direction of SSP UT Chandigarh Kanwardeep Kaur. This is reportedly the first ever recovery of opium cultivation in Chandigarh. Under the operation, 725 opium plants weighting 20.570 kg has been recovered.
BRIEF OF NDPS ACT:-
CASE FIR NO. 16 DATED 19.03.2024 U/S 18(C) NDPS ACT, PS-IT Park, Chandigarh.
On 18.03.2024. ASI Rahul Bhardwaj along with police officials of District Crime Cell, Sector-24, Chandigarh, were on patrolling duty in UT Area. During patrolling they reached near Shastri Nagar Light Point and met secret informer, who informed that Sameer Kalia owner of Blooming Dale Nursery and gardener Siya Ram are cultivating Opium plants under the guise of nursery, in backside area of said nursery. On this at about 07:40 PM, ASI Rahul and Police officials raided in Blooming Dale Nursery and met two persons namely Sameer Kalia S/o Subash Kalia r/o#618, Sector-10, Panchkula, Hr. Age 50 years (owner of nursery) and Siya Ram s/o Shri Ram r/o # 204, Near tower, Singha Devi Colony, Naya Gaon, Mohali Pb. Age 39 years (gardener in nursery).
During search of backside area of nursery two "kiyaris of Opium plants" having white and red colour flowers and opium dode, covered with green net were found. They were asked to produce licence/permit regarding opium cultivation but they could not produce any licence permit at the spot.
After verifying the facts ASI Rahul Bhardwaj informed DSP DCC, Sh. Dilsher Singh Chandel regarding the illegal cultivation of Opium plants and requested him to reach on spot. On this, DSP/DCC reached the spot and verified the facts. On the directions of DSP/DCC and in his presence further process was carried out.
After plucking the opium plants total 725 plants of opium weighting 20.570 KG were found and recovered.
The same were seized at spot and were taken into police possession. The videography and photography of the procedure was carried out. In this regard, case FIR No. 16 dated 19.03.2023 U/s 18 (C) NDPS Act, PS- IT Park, Chandigarh was registered against them and both the accused were arrested in said case.
During investigation it was revealed that on the instance of Sameer Kalia (owner, Blooming Dale nursery) his gardener Siya Ram was involved in cultivation of said opium plants The further investigation of the case is in progress.