SP leader held with heroin estimated at Rs 40 lakh

Varanasi, June 15 (UNI) A Samajwadi Party leader having close links with gangster Munna Bajarangi and controversial-Uttar Pradesh MLA Mukhtar Ansari was arrested with heroin valued at over Rs 40 lakh from Jaitpur area here early today.

Police Superintendent (City) Anant Deo said Meraj Ahmed alias Bhai Meraj was held with 450 gms of heroin from his Ashok Vihar Colony residence.

A case has been registered against him under the NDPS Act.

Mr Deo said Meraj was earlier held during the recent bypoll to Rae Bareli parliamentary seat for possessing a foreign-made pistol.

He was lodged in the district jail and had been released on bail recently.

The accused was also said to be associated with the Babu Yadav and Kripa gang and shared a good rapport with former SP MLA from Varanasi (North) Abdul Kalam.

When contacted SP sources here said Meraj was a member of the ruling party, which he had joined during the last Lok Sabha polls.

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