NEW DELHI, July 10 — Delhi Police have arrested an Army constable, his girlfriend, and a third accomplice for allegedly running an inter-state opium smuggling racket that moved consignments from Manipur to Rajasthan under the cover of personal leave, officials said on Thursday.
The constable, who is currently posted with the Indian Army, reportedly took sanctioned leave specifically to carry out the smuggling operation. “The accused used his leave period to fly under the radar and transport narcotics discreetly,” said a senior police officer.
Acting on intelligence inputs, a police team intercepted the trio’s car near Kalindi Kunj in southeast Delhi. Upon inspection, officers discovered 18 packets of opium concealed beneath the floor of the vehicle, which had been specially modified with hidden compartments.
“Their modus operandi was to use a privately owned car with secret cavities under the flooring, making it difficult to detect the narcotics during routine checks,” the officer added.
In addition to the opium, police also recovered an army-issued licensed pistol hidden beneath the car’s floorboard. Investigators are verifying whether the weapon was used or intended to be used in the course of smuggling operations.
All three accused have been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Arms Act. The Army has been informed of the constable’s arrest, and further inquiries are underway to determine the full extent of the racket, including potential links to other states or operatives.
The case has raised serious concerns about the misuse of service privileges for criminal activities, prompting calls for stricter oversight and coordination between civil and military authorities in such cases.
