In a significant breakthrough against drug trafficking in Himachal Pradesh, the Shimla district police have apprehended eight alleged members of the notorious ‘Shahi Mahatma Gang’. This gang has been implicated in extensive drug distribution activities throughout the region.

The arrests were made as part of an ongoing investigation linked to a case filed at the Kotkhai police station in April, during which officers seized 468 grams of heroin associated with the gang. Through a combination of financial and technical inquiries, law enforcement was able to pinpoint and detain these individuals, who are believed to play vital roles in the gang's distribution network.

Among those arrested are Altamas Makrani, Navdeep Negi, Sandeep Sharma, Ranush Puharta, Khushi Ram Thakur, Someshwar, Hanish Ranta, and Puruskrit Verma, hailing from various locations within the Shimla district. Additionally, another suspect, Sahil Mehta, was arrested earlier in October.

The gang’s leader, known as ‘Shahi Mahatma’, has also been taken into custody, and police are actively pursuing an additional 26 suspects linked to this drug trafficking operation.

These arrests are part of the state police's broader initiative, “Operation Clean – The Path of Drug-Free Shimla”, which aims to dismantle drug trafficking networks and foster a safer environment for residents. To date, the Shimla district police have registered 210 cases and made 462 arrests of suspected drug peddlers this year alone.

The police's proactive approach to disrupting the drug supply chain and addressing the underlying issues of drug abuse highlights the state's commitment to combating drug-related crimes and safeguarding the health and well-being of its communities.