In a significant crackdown on narcotics, the Bhopal Crime Branch arrested 27-year-old Ankit Verma near LIC Shiv Mandir in MP Nagar on charges of drug possession. Acting on a tip-off, police seized 10.50 grams of MD (mephedrone) powder and a luxury Apple iPhone worth Rs3 lakh from Verma, a resident of Awadhpuri with a B.Com degree.
The operation, led by ACP Crime Anurakti Sabnani and Crime Branch In-Charge Bhupendra Diwan, resulted in Verma’s arrest while he was allegedly waiting to complete a drug deal. He admitted to possessing the banned substance during initial questioning. A case has been filed under Sections 8 and 22 of the NDPS Act, and further investigations are underway to trace his connections.
In a separate case, Aishbagh Police apprehended 31-year-old Kamlesh Das Bairagi, a wanted suspect from Sehore, for his alleged involvement in the abduction of a minor girl on March 14. Authorities had placed a Rs5,000 reward for his arrest.
The arrest was made after extensive electronic surveillance and tip-offs from local informants. Initially registered under Section 137(2) of the BNS, the case has now been upgraded to include POCSO Act charges following the victim’s statement. Inspector Vijay Bahadur Singh Sengar led the team in this successful operation.
