Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has apprehended two Mumbai-based drug traffickers, Bhavesh Chauhan alias Lalu and Shoaib Ashraf Pathan alias Batla, who were hiding in Lucknow while planning to escape to Nepal.
The duo, wanted in a case registered at Naigaon Police Station, Mira-Bhayander, Maharashtra, were intercepted near the tempo stand at Charbagh Railway Station following actionable intelligence provided by Maharashtra Police. STF teams, under the supervision of Deputy SP Dharmesh Kumar Shahi, conducted surveillance in sensitive transit areas before making the arrests.
During interrogation, the accused confessed to being part of an organised inter-state drug trafficking network. They disclosed their involvement in manufacturing brown sugar using readily available chemicals and distributing it across Mumbai’s high-end pubs, hotels, and party circuits.
Officials said the network had been active for 4–5 years. A major consignment linked to the accused was seized in Vasai-Virar on February 5, prompting the duo to flee Mumbai and seek refuge in Lucknow. Both are now in police custody as further investigation continues.
