Major Drug Cartel Bust in Madhya Pradesh: Kingpin Arrested

A man named Shailendra Singh was arrested in Satna district, Madhya Pradesh, for operating a major drug cartel. He allegedly smuggled drugs worth over Rs 5 crore from Uttar Pradesh over the last two years. Shailendra has been charged under multiple acts, including the NDPS Act and Drugs Control Act.

A significant breakthrough in Madhya Pradesh's fight against drug trafficking occurred on Thursday with the arrest of Shailendra Singh, accused of running a major drug cartel. Authorities say Singh smuggled over Rs 5 crore worth of contraband into the state's Vindh region from neighboring Uttar Pradesh over the past two years.

Singh was apprehended within the limits of the Civil Lines police station in Satna district, according to additional superintendent of police, Vikram Singh Kushwaha. The case came to light earlier when police intercepted a vehicle entering Satna from Uttar Pradesh and confiscated 7,200 bottles of codeine phosphate-laced cough syrup worth Rs 12.25 lakh.

Along with arresting Diwakar Patel initially, the police also identified three escapees: Badal Singh, Ashok Gautam, and Amit Gupta. Further investigation revealed Shailendra Singh as the kingpin. He now faces multiple charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, Drugs Control Act, and Section 111 (organized crime) of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita. MP minister, Pratima Bagri, denied any familial connection to the accused and expressed support for stringent police action.

(With inputs from agencies.)