700kg cannabis seized along with two government vehicles

By Nisha Rai,Dharan, Dec. 6: In a significant drug bust, the police in Dharan have seized 700 kilograms of cannabis and two vehicles bearing government number plates. 

One individual has been arrested in connection with the case, while another suspect is at large.

According to Superintendent of Police (SP) and Chief of the Sunsari District Police Office Suman Timalsina, the cannabis was recovered from two Scorpio SUVs with registration numbers Ba 1 Jha 5127 and Ba 1 Jha 4605.

The vehicles were impounded on Tuesday evening near Amarhat in Dharan-13 while en route from Dhankuta to Dharan.

To bring the situation under control, the police fired four rounds of gunshots in the air, SP Timalsina said during a press briefing held on Wednesday. One of the vehicles' drivers, identified as 26-year-old Shyam Kumar Bishwakarma from Sundar Haraicha Municipality-11, Morang, has been apprehended. However, the driver of the second vehicle managed to flee the scene.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Prakash Juwegal of the Dharan Area Police Office explained that officers were compelled to open fire when the fleeing vehicle posed a threat to the security authorities. “The suspect abandoned the vehicle and escaped. A manhunt is currently underway to locate him,” DSP Juwegal added.

One round of gunfire struck the rear of the fleeing vehicle. The police were eventually able to surround and seize both vehicles, despite significant challenges during the operation.

During the operations, police confiscated the cannabis that was found in plastic-wrapped packages. From the vehicle Ba 1 Jha 5127, police seized 365 kilograms of cannabis.

Similarly, police seized 335 kg of contraband in plastic packaging from another vehicle with registration number Ba 1 Jha 4605.

This brings the total weight of the seized cannabis, including plastic packaging, to 700 kilograms, according to police reports shared during the press conference.

The arrested suspect, Bishwakarma, is being charged under drug trafficking laws, with preparations underway for a court extension of his remand.

Govt. vehicles under scrutiny

SP Timalsina revealed that investigations were ongoing to determine whether the seized vehicles were genuine government property or fake government number plates were used. Police are also intensifying surveillance at checkpoints to locate the fugitive driver.

Authorities remain committed to uncovering the full extent of the operation and ensuring the culprits are brought to justice.