Alleged Drug Kingpin Captured in Madhya Pradesh's Rewa District

A man was apprehended on Thursday in Rewa district, Madhya Pradesh, for allegedly running a drug cartel and smuggling contraband worth over Rs 5 crore from Uttar Pradesh into the Vindh region over the past two years, according to a police official. Shailendra Singh was detained within the Civil Lines police station jurisdiction this morning, stated additional superintendent of police Vikram Singh Kushwaha.

Drug Seizure and Arrests

On July 12, Singhpur police intercepted a pick-up vehicle coming from Uttar Pradesh in Satna. They seized 7,200 bottles of cough syrup containing codeine phosphate, a narcotic substance valued at Rs 12.25 lakh. One Diwakar Patel was arrested during this operation, while three others—Badal Singh, Ashok Gautam, and Amit Gupta—managed to escape.

Kingpin Identified

Investigations revealed that Shailendra Singh was the mastermind behind the operation. "Our probe found the kingpin was Shailendra Singh, who had pumped in drugs worth Rs 5.35 crore in the Vindh region from UP in the last two years," Kushwaha informed. Singh has been charged under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, Drugs Control Act, and Section 111 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita for organised crime.

Minister Denies Family Ties

Meanwhile, MP Minister of State for Urban Development Pratima Bagri denied allegations linking her to Shailendra Singh. "Shailendra Singh is not my relative. My name is unnecessarily being connected to him. He the accused is actually Kshatriya by caste. We are not Kshatriya but Bagri. I have nothing to do with him," she clarified. Bagri also stated that she would support the police in their investigation.

Bagri, who is also a BJP MLA from Raigaon SC reserved seat in Satna, emphasised that strict action should be taken against those involved in such illegal activities. "Police must take strict action. I will provide all help to police," she said.

The arrest of Shailendra Singh marks a significant step in curbing drug trafficking in the region. Authorities continue to investigate further links and operations related to this cartel.