Rs 5 Crore Morphine Seized, Five Arrested After Encounter in UP
In a major operation against drug trafficking in Uttar Pradesh, police arrested five individuals and seized approximately 1.8 kg of illegal morphine valued at around Rs 5 crore after an exchange of fire in Sultanpur district early Friday morning. The incident occurred near the Sahjanpur underpass, where authorities had set up a blockade based on a tip-off about a consignment being delivered by a drug smuggling gang.
According to Kadipur Circle Officer Vinay Kumar Gautam, police received intelligence that the gang was planning to move a substantial quantity of narcotics. Acting on the information, a police team laid an ambush near the underpass. At about 4:30 am, two cars approached the checkpoint. When police signalled them to stop, the occupants allegedly opened fire, prompting officers to retaliate in self-defence, the officer said.
During the exchange, two suspects — Khurshid Alam from Balrampur and Prashant Singh from Sultanpur — sustained gunshot injuries and were taken to a hospital for treatment. Police recovered country-made pistols, spent shells and live cartridges from them. Their accomplices — Rohit Tiwari, Ankur Prajapati, and Rambabu — were apprehended later, according to police.
The subsequent search of the two vehicles led to the recovery of around 1.8 kg of morphine, a controlled substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The seized contraband is estimated to have a street value of approximately Rs 5 crore, officials said.
During preliminary interrogation, the accused reportedly revealed that the morphine was sourced from Odisha and destined for distribution across various districts of Uttar Pradesh. Police are investigating the network, including possible links to other states and buyers.
Morphine is a potent opiate analgesic used medically to relieve severe pain, but its non-medical use, possession and trade are strictly prohibited under Indian law. The NDPS Act prescribes rigorous punishment for offences involving illegal drugs, with penalties escalating based on the quantity involved. For commercial quantities — which for morphine is set at 250 grams or more — offenders can face imprisonment ranging from ten to twenty years, along with fines of up to Rs 2 lakh or more.
The arrested individuals have been booked under relevant sections of the NDPS Act, and further legal proceedings are underway. Police have said they are also examining the criminal backgrounds of the accused and tracing the broader supply chain.
This operation highlights the persistent challenge of inter-state drug trafficking that law enforcement agencies in India have been working to dismantle. Odisha, with its forest cover and proximity to the eastern coast, has often been cited as a source for contraband, including cannabis and synthetic drugs. The route into Uttar Pradesh appears to be one of several corridors used by smugglers, officials said.
Authorities have urged citizens to report any suspicious activities related to drug trafficking. Police have reiterated their commitment to curbing the illegal drug trade and ensuring that those involved face the full force of the law.
Further details are awaited as the investigation continues. All the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
